Key facts
- Samar Hammad's newborn daughter, Nour Abu Samaan, survived an Israeli raid on al-Nasr Children's Hospital in Gaza City.
- Nour developed complications, including loss of consciousness and brain calcification, after inhaling toxic gases during bombardment.
- Several newborns died at the hospital after Israeli forces cut off electricity and oxygen supplies.
- Hammad took Nour from the hospital shortly before Israeli forces stormed it and abandoned other infants.
- Nour requires ongoing physiotherapy and potentially evacuation for treatment abroad due to her condition.
- The ongoing siege in Gaza has created severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Samar Hammad recounted the ordeal of her newborn daughter, Nour Abu Samaan, who was born just before the war in Gaza began and subsequently suffered complications from inhaling toxic gases during Israeli bombardments. Rushed to al-Nasr Children's Hospital, Nour's condition worsened as Israeli forces advanced, cutting off essential supplies like electricity and oxygen. Despite the dire circumstances, Hammad refused to abandon her daughter, taking Nour with her shortly before Israeli troops stormed the hospital, where other infants in incubators later died.
Following their escape, Hammad sought further medical care for Nour, who was diagnosed with brain calcification and required months of physiotherapy. The family faced extreme hardship, struggling daily to find food and water amidst the siege. Doctors recommended Nour be evacuated for specialized treatment abroad, a prospect made nearly impossible by the ongoing conflict and restrictions. Hammad's attempt to find a specialized paediatrician at Kamal Adwan Hospital was thwarted when the doctor was detained by the army.