Four-year-old Abdullah Abu Zerka, the Palestinian child
whose desperate cry "I'm hungry" became a global symbol of Gaza's
humanitarian crisis, died of severe malnutrition shortly after reaching a
hospital in Adana, Turkey. Despite the medical evacuation facilitated by
Turkish officials, delays and the deteriorating conditions in Gaza rendered
treatment efforts too late to save his life.
Abdullah’s Struggle in Gaza and the Viral Cry for Help
The story of Abdullah Abu Zerka emerged as a poignant symbol
of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The four-and-a-half-year-old boy’s
emaciated figure and his haunting plea, "I'm hungry," echoed
worldwide when a video of him and his mother surfaced, revealing the extreme
malnutrition and hunger that afflict Gaza's 2.1 million residents amid ongoing
Israeli blockade and conflict, as reported by Al Jazeera journalist Ali Harb.
Hamed Abu Zerka, Abdullah’s father, described the intolerable conditions that
led to his children’s worsening health, highlighting the absence of even basic
food items like tomatoes and clean drinking water amidst bombings and sustained
shortages.
Evacuation and Medical Treatment in Turkey
After weeks of struggle, Abdullah and his six-month-old
sister Habiba were evacuated from Gaza under a humanitarian programme organised
by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Turkish officials navigated complex diplomatic
channels to enable their transfer to Turkey for urgent medical care. The
family’s journey marked the first time either child had left Gaza. They were
flown from Gaza to Jordan before being transported to Adana, Turkey, where they
were admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Dr Mehmet Yilmaz, head of paediatric intensive care at the
Adana City and Research hospital, described Abdullah’s condition as critical
upon arrival, with severe complications of prolonged malnutrition including
organ failure and a compromised immune system. Despite the medical team's best
efforts, Abdullah's frail body had endured irreversible damage.
The Pain and Impact of the Loss
Abdullah passed away in the hospital on Thursday morning
after enduring months of malnutrition and untreated illness in Gaza. His father
expressed deep sorrow and the painful reality of burying his son far from home
in the Gulbahcesi neighbourhood cemetery in Adana. Turkish community members
and mosque leaders joined the family in a quiet funeral service, underscoring
the shared grief for a child none had known but whose story resonated
universally.
Hamed highlighted the emotional trauma of witnessing his children’s decline and the impossibility of returning to a home filled with memories of suffering.
“How do you go back to a place where you witnessed your children suffer? How do you return to the rooms where your son cried for food that you couldn’t provide?” he lamented.
The Broader Context of Gaza’s Health Crisis
Abdullah’s death is emblematic of a broader humanitarian
catastrophe in Gaza. Hospitals operate under severe duress with medical
supplies, medicines, and specialists in short supply. The World Health
Organization (WHO) reports thousands of Palestinians, many children, in urgent
need of medical evacuation and treatment, while ongoing conflict continues to
exacerbate the crisis.
Turkey has been a key destination for Palestinian patients
evacuated from Gaza, providing critical medical assistance and support for
those severely injured or ill due to the conflict. For example, four patients
recently evacuated to Turkey included TRT Arabi cameraman Sami Mohammed
Abdullah Shehada, who lost a leg due to Israeli attacks, and reporter Sami Fuad
Mahmoud Barhoom, who was wounded by a drone strike. Both praised the Turkish
government for their efforts in facilitating their treatment and rescue from
Gaza’s devastated health system.
Statements from Those Involved
As reported by Anadolu Agency (AA), Shehada described how he
was filming far from Israeli forces when attacked, resulting in the amputation
of his leg. He expressed gratitude to Turkey, stating, “They saved us from
death,” while highlighting the alarming number of over 100,000 injured people
in Gaza awaiting treatment. Barhoom, similarly wounded, noted the emotional
toll of leaving Gaza but expressed hope for continuing journalism outside Gaza
and called for the international media to gain access to the enclave, which
Israeli authorities have restricted since the war's outbreak.
The delayed evacuation process illustrates the logistical
and political challenges faced by Palestinians seeking medical care abroad.
Abdullah's family endured several weeks of waiting, time that Abdullah's frail
body unfortunately could not withstand.
A Symbol of Famine and Ongoing Conflict
Abdullah’s passing has sparked worldwide emotions, with his
viral plea becoming a lasting testament to the starvation and suffering
inflicted by the conflict and blockade in Gaza. His mother’s tears, the
family's anguish, and the international outcry underscore the human cost behind
the statistics reporting over 18,000 children killed since the war began.
While Abdullah has died, his younger sister Habiba continues
to receive medical care in Turkey, fighting for survival despite her fragility.
The family's ordeal draws attention to the broader plight of Gaza's children,
many of whom face similarly life-threatening situations exacerbated by war,
blockades, and limited humanitarian access.
Abdullah Abu Zerka’s tragic death in Turkey after being
evacuated from Gaza highlights the immense challenges facing Palestinians
caught in conflict zones. His story is not just one of a single child but a representation
of the hundreds of thousands suffering from malnutrition, injury, and lack of
access to timely medical care. Although Turkey’s humanitarian efforts provide
some relief for Gaza’s most severely affected patients, the continuing blockade
and conflict impede urgent treatment, contributing to avoidable loss of life.
Abdullah's story calls for increased international attention and faster medical
aid and evacuation to prevent further tragedies in Gaza.