Injured Gaza children arrive in North Texas for emergency medical treatment

GRAPEVINE, Texas — The usual hustle of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was briefly replaced by something more emotional: a group of people gathered, not for a typical reunion, but to welcome a boy who traveled thousands of miles for medical aid.

Fourteen-year-old Anwar, injured in Gaza while trying to escape Israeli airstrikes, arrived in North Texas to receive critical medical treatment. His leg was amputated, just one of many injuries he suffered.

“I’m trying to hold back my tears, but I can’t believe that he’s finally here,” said Haneen with HEAL Palestine.

Anwar is one of 10 children brought to cities across the U.S. through HEAL Palestine, a humanitarian organization coordinating urgent medical evacuations for injured children. The group said this is the largest evacuation since the war began last year.

Haneen said the moment was bittersweet. She shared a message from Anwar’s mother, who didn’t speak English.

“They’ve just lived through a genocide for the last two years. She left her son, her daughter, and other family members behind.”

Among the newly arrived children is 6-year-old Zuhair, who was playing outside his home when a direct rocket strike destroyed the building. He now bears both physical and emotional scars.

Zuhair underwent multiple surgeries for his left hand and leg injuries. His mother and younger brother traveled with him to Texas.

“It’s not these children’s fault. Stop the war and let’s get these children the food and medical attention they need,” said Nisreen Hajaj, with HEAL Palestine.

The children will soon begin treatment and are expected to stay with foster families during their recovery. Once healed, they’ll return home to Gaza.

“They have suffered enough,” said Hajaj.

For now, their arrival in North Texas is a moment of hope in the middle of heartache, a small step toward healing for children who have already endured so much.