An Israeli court rejected a petition to allow a Five-year-old Gaza child to receive urgent cancer treatment in Israel. Mohammad Ahmad Abu Asad, diagnosed with aggressive leukemia, requires a bone marrow transplant unavailable in Gaza or the West Bank.
Gaza child denied critical treatment
The Jerusalem District Court dismissed the appeal, citing Mohammad’s registered Gaza address, despite his residence in Ramallah since 2022. According to an X post by Ihab Hassan, the hospital in Tel HaShomer had approved his treatment, which was fully funded and medically referred.
Mohammad’s case highlights the impact of Israel’s post-October 2023 policy barring Gaza residents from entering for medical purposes. Humanitarian groups, including Gisha, have repeatedly intervened, noting the policy prevents thousands of patients from accessing essential care.
“This case once again illustrates the devastating consequences of a sweeping policy that denies Palestinians access to life-saving medical care solely on the basis of their registered address in Gaza,” said Gisha in a statement.
Doctors treating Mohammad in Ramallah confirmed he urgently requires antibody immunotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The child’s mother described the ruling as a death sentence, noting her husband died of cancer three years ago.
Humanitarian and medical context
About 11,000 Palestinian cancer patients remain trapped in Gaza despite the recent reopening of the Rafah crossing. Health officials report around 4,000 individuals have official referrals to third countries but cannot leave, and the World Health Organization records 900 deaths among patients awaiting evacuation.
The Gaza child’s case underscores broader concerns over access to life-saving care under conflict-related border restrictions. Previous Charity Journal reporting on UNDP support for Palestinian recovery efforts demonstrates the ongoing challenges humanitarian agencies face in reaching vulnerable populations.
Israeli Judge Ram Winograd acknowledged thousands of children require urgent care, but argued no meaningful distinction justified exempting Mohammad from the blanket policy. Legal experts warn the decision may set a precedent affecting future petitions by patients registered in Gaza.
This incident forms part of a larger regional health crisis, where access to chemotherapy drugs and specialized treatment remains restricted. A previous Charity Journal explainer on top global cancer charities provides context on organizations addressing treatment gaps in conflict zones.