Ramallah, September 14, 2022—At least three Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip died this year while navigating the complex medical referral permit system required to receive care outside of Gaza.

Saleem Al-Nawati, 16, Luai Al-Taweel, 14, and one-year-old Fatima Al-Masri are three Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip who died from severe medical issues while attempting to receive medical care outside of Gaza, a process that requires navigating a complex and drawn-out medical referral permit system required by Israeli authorities since Israel closed the Gaza Strip. 

In 2007, Israeli authorities closed the Gaza Strip and isolated it from the outside world. Since then, Palestinian children have had to navigate life amidst continuous besiegement and frequent deadly Israeli military offensives. Those with chronic illness bear even more acutely the impact of Israel’s ongoing 15-year closure of the Gaza Strip.