In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, 31 premature babies have been evacuated from al-Shifa Hospital to Al-Helal Al-Emairati Maternity Hospital, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The head of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the infants as being “very sick” and in need of urgent care.

The babies were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Emirati Hospital in Rafah. Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the hospital, revealed that many of these infants had tragically lost their parents in the bombardments by Israel. Farsakh further explained that the surviving parents were ordered to leave Gaza City before the evacuation, and their current whereabouts remain unknown.

The decision to move the babies came after the unfortunate deaths of two infants. Farsakh shared that one baby had passed away the day before, while another died earlier on the day of the evacuation. As a result, it was deemed necessary to relocate the remaining 31 babies to the Emirati Hospital in the southern city of Rafah.

During the transportation process, the infants were carefully wrapped in foil to maintain their body temperatures. Despite the challenging circumstances, Farsakh assured that the babies’ health condition is good.