Gazan Children Face Dual Battle: Cancer and Homesickness in Jordan

The journey from war-torn Gaza to safe havens like Amman, Jordan, brings not just hope for medical treatment for young cancer patients but also deep emotional challenges as they confront homesickness and guilt for those left behind.

Amman, Jordan - Having escaped the ravages of war, many Gazan children are now faced with an equally daunting battle: cancer. The journey to a treatment center in Jordan brings them a flicker of hope, yet the memories of their families and homes linger heavily on their minds.

Among them is 13-year-old Mohammed Ashour, who recently evacuated Gaza. Although he has reached safety, sleepless nights plague him as he reflects on his two-bedroom apartment, once a refuge for his extended family during the conflict, now left behind with dwindling supplies. “What will the family who stayed behind have for dinner?” Mohammed worries, a question that echoes through his restless nights.

Israeli officials reported that over 4,000 patients have successfully evacuated Gaza for medical care since the war began; however, the World Health Organization indicates that more than 10,000 others remain in dire need of treatment. For the few who make it to Jordan, the emotional toll is profound. Alongside their fight against cancer, these children grapple with feelings of guilt, fear, and profound homesickness. In their struggle for survival, they carry the heavy burden of a life left behind, making their battle all the more complex.