Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Preterm Babies Return to Gaza and Reunite With Families
Bissan was born early after an attack injured her mother in Gaza.
She was taken to Egypt in an incubator to get care and stayed there for months.
Her mother, Sundus, spoke with her by video call when she could.
In March, Bissan returned to Gaza with other children who had also been evacuated.
At first, she did not know that Sundus was her mother.
They are slowly getting closer, though loud explosions still scare Bissan.
Another child, Ibrahim, returned to Gaza but could not meet his mother, who had died while he was away.
A mental health expert said it can take time for parents and children to rebuild their bonds.
Bissan was born six weeks early after an Israeli attack injured her pregnant mother and killed her sister.
She was among 29 premature babies evacuated from Gaza to Egypt in November 2023 as Israeli forces approached.
Seven of the evacuated babies died in Egypt; 11, including Bissan, returned to Gaza in March.
After months apart, Bissan initially did not recognize her mother, Sundus al-Kurd, and is still frightened by loud explosions.
Another returned child, Ibrahim, was reunited with his father after his mother died while he was in Egypt.
- Who
- Bissan and other premature babies evacuated from Gaza, and their families.
- What
- Bissan and 10 other children returned to Gaza and reunited with family members after being evacuated to Egypt.
- When
- The babies were evacuated in November 2023; 11 returned in March this year. The report is dated October 2.
- Where
- Gaza and Egypt.
- Why
- The premature babies were evacuated for care as Israeli forces drew close to the neonatal hospital ward.
- Babies evacuated
- 29 preterm infants were evacuated from a neonatal hospital ward to Egypt.
- Evacuation
- November 2023.
- Babies who died
- Seven died in Egypt.
- Children returned
- 11 children from the group returned to Gaza in March this year.
- Bissan's age
- She was described as 2½ years old at the time of the report.
- Bissan's mother
- Sundus al-Kurd.
- Ibrahim's mother
- Israa Badr died the month after Ibrahim was evacuated.