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Adam, a resident of Chan Junis, will undergo a curative treatment in Italy

Emergency Airlift Mission Execution

This very night, Adam cradles the soccer ball, his prize gift, unscathed in his grasp.
This very night, Adam cradles the soccer ball, his prize gift, unscathed in his grasp.

Saving Life Amidst Conflict: The Adam Al-Najjar Evacuation

Adam, a resident of Chan Junis, will undergo a curative treatment in Italy

Let's get real. It's the dead of night when a plane touches down at Milan's Linate Airport – military base, mind you – on a Wednesday in June. The passengers on board aren't your average tourists. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is also present, gripping a soccer ball. The aircraft, an Italian Air Force C-130, had left from Eilat-Ramon, Israel, ferrying some extraordinary individuals. Some are lying on stretchers, others can walk but bear the weight of heavy bandages on limbs or heads. They're kids, aged between three and twelve, all wounded.

The poster child of this somber cargo is Adam, our 11-year-old friend. He's gathered global attention for reasons nobody wants to be famous for. Just a few weeks ago, Israeli troops struck Khan Younis, his home in the Gaza Strip. In that horrific strike, Adam lost nine siblings – three to twelve years old – and his dad.

The Old Man himself, Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, was left with critical internal and brain injuries. The family prayed for his recovery, but sadly, he took his last breath a week later. Adam's mom, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, was working at the Nasser Hospital, miles away, when the tragedy struck. Miraculously, she survived. Upon her return, she could only confirm one of her charred children.

A New Lease on Life in Italy?

When the world learned of Adam and his family's plight, Italy rushed to offer medical assistance. Italy's pretty experienced in medical evacuations, with 133 young patients flown in from the Gaza Strip thus far. 150 patients and 450 relatives have made it onto Italian soil, with three flights arriving on a single Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributes these successful evacuations to dedicated diplomatic efforts, involving folks from the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv, the General Consulate in Jerusalem, and officials of the Ministry of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The EU Civil Protection, World Health Organization, Interior, and Defense Ministries also contributed. On arrival, Tajani stated, "Italy will always provide shelter and care to war-stricken kids, regardless of where they come from."

Burn Victim with a Fighting Spirit

Upon his arrival in Milan, Adam was admitted to Niguarda Hospital, home of a state-of-the-art burn unit. This hospital has decades of experience treating kids from war-torn areas, including trauma therapy to help them process their horrifying experiences. Adam's mother specifically requested this support for her son before the evacuation.

In an interview with Italian newspaper "La Repubblica," Alaa expressed Adam's condition as stable but clarified that his left arm has multiple fractures and damaged nerves, requiring further operations. Adam told Turkish news agency Anadolu that his severe pain persisted, with no feeling in his left fingers due to nerve damage. While some reports suggest Adam suffered severe burns and lost a hand, current updates focus on the fractures and nerve damage in his arm, along with the healing of his head wound.

Alaa thanked Tajani and Italy for giving her son a chance to heal in a war-free environment and for providing him with life-saving medical care. Before flying to Milan, she said in an interview with Italian broadcaster RAI, "I'm sorry to leave Gaza, there are so many people suffering here." Yet, her primary focus is now on her son's recovery and well-being, adding, "I hope people will forgive me."

Citations:1. ntv.de2. repubblica.it3. france24.com4. euronews.com5. aljazeera.com

  • Italy
  • Gaza
  • Israel Conflict
  • Children
  1. In the midst of the ongoing geopolitical discussions and general news reports, the community policy of Italy has taken a remarkable turn by offering medical assistance to children affected by the Israel-Gaza conflict.
  2. During a time when war-and-conflicts persist in the Middle East, science and advancements in health-and-wellness have played a pivotal role in the evacuation and treatment of wounded children, such as Adam Al-Najjar, in countries like Italy.
  3. Despite the complexities of politics that often dictate foreign policy, the employment policy of Italy has proven commendable in providing support and assistance to children from war-stricken areas like Gaza, as demonstrated by their 133 medical evacuations so far.

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