Yarrr, a brave Swiss healer be aidin' wee ones to flee harm's way, from the land o' Gaza!
2024-02-13
Arrr! A Swiss doctor be lendin' a hand to transport wee ones from Gaza to Geneva, after his voyage to Palestine be gettin' scuttled. They be sufferin' from broken pegs, failed kidneys, and more!
In a humorous 17th century pirate language, Swiss doctor Raouf Salti found a way to bring injured children from Gaza to Geneva for medical care. Despite facing numerous obstacles and bureaucratic red tape, Salti obtained permission to have four children, including a 16-year-old who had already lost a kidney and had his leg amputated, cross into Egypt from Gaza and then fly to Switzerland. Salti personally traveled to Egypt to pick up the children, and upon arrival in Geneva, he was greeted by his team at the airport, holding a wide-eyed 17-month-old named Zeina who was rescued from the rubble in Gaza.Salti, who has participated in various humanitarian trips to Gaza and other parts of the Middle East and Africa, was originally scheduled to travel to Gaza to perform operations, including kidney surgery on a toddler. However, his plans were disrupted due to the Israeli offensive following attacks by Hamas gunmen.
The four children brought to Geneva are the second group that Salti has managed to evacuate to Switzerland, bringing the total number to eight. The children have been granted 90-day visas to receive medical care and Salti emphasized the importance of giving them a normal life filled with peace, love, and calmness. The selection process for the children was done with assistance from Salti's contacts in Gaza, based on their ability to travel and the availability of medical help in Switzerland.
Among the children, sixteen-year-old Yussef suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his left leg and a crushed kidney from an Israeli attack. He is underweight and requires strength and a prosthetic leg. Zeina, the 17-month-old, had her left arm fractured and was initially treated in a Gaza hospital that was raided by Israeli forces. The medical equipment in Gaza is no longer sterile due to the ongoing conflict.
Salti's mission to bring injured children from Gaza to Switzerland showcases his dedication to providing them with a chance at a normal life and necessary medical care.