Injured Gazan girls arrive in Boston as part of nationwide medical evacuation
Three young girls from Gaza were welcomed with cheers as they arrived at Boston's Logan International Airport on Sunday afternoon.
The girls are part of the medical evacuation of more than a dozen Palestinian children from Gaza, all happening across the United States this week.
They will receive lifesaving medical treatment, with 14-year-old Rahaf staying in Boston.
"We are all happy to welcome them, but just sad knowing the conditions they came under," said Nora Khalil of HEAL Palestine. "Relieved that families are reuniting through HEAL, which is amazing, but heartbroken and devastated at what they had to escape."
Through the help and coordination of U.S.-based nonprofit HEAL Palestine, the girls will receive medical treatment, as well as emotional support.
Rahaf and her family took shelter at a hospital in Gaza that was later targeted in an Israeli bombing.
"She was there with her mother, father, three brothers and sister. Her mother, two brothers and sister were killed," Khalil said.
Rahaf suffered severe burns when shrapnel hit her body. She underwent surgery, but with food and medical supplies limited by the Israeli blockade, she arrived malnourished and in pain.
"It's really disheartening to have to watch all of this have to happen and know that they're being starved and that aid is not being allowed in," Khalil said.
HEAL Palestine flew more than a dozen children from Gaza to the United States for medical treatment.
"They are coming from severe suffering and horrible conditions in a war zone," Khalil said. "We have to give them their space but also show them that they're in a loved community that's safe."
