After the Al-Shifa evacuation, premature and ill newborns arrive in Egypt from Gaza.

On Monday, a convoy of ambulances transported 28 premature babies from Gaza to Egypt, following their evacuation from Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, as confirmed by an Egyptian government official. This evacuation was necessary due to the deteriorating conditions at the hospital amid ongoing conflict.

The babies were initially accompanied by four mothers and six nurses and will receive medical treatment in two Egyptian hospitals. On Sunday, in a separate transfer, 31 babies were moved to Emirati Hospital in Rafah, with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and other organizations coordinating the operation. At the Rafah crossing, a large team of medical professionals with incubators was ready to provide immediate care.

While two babies remained in the Emirati Hospital’s ICU, one in good health, and a third did not move to Egypt due to his parents being in northern Gaza, the rest were sent to Al-Arish Hospital in Sinai and New Capital Hospital in Cairo. According to a doctor at Al-Arish, these babies require advanced medical measures.

One of the mothers expressed her relief and gratitude for the care her daughter is receiving in Egypt, particularly after a difficult birth and subsequent danger due to the conflict in Gaza.

The condition of these infants had been precarious, with the World Health Organization reporting that many were fighting serious infections, with 11 in critical condition due to a lack of medical supplies at Al-Shifa. UNICEF had warned that their condition was rapidly deteriorating, prompting the evacuation under extremely dangerous conditions.

Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, has been a central point in the conflict, with allegations by the Israeli military of its use by Hamas for military purposes, claims denied by Hamas and hospital officials. The hospital’s situation became dire due to continuous bombardment, leading to shortages of power and medical supplies and the tragic loss of several newborns.

In response to Israel’s claim of Hamas using the hospital, the IDF released videos and images purportedly showing Hamas activities in the facility, though CNN could not independently verify these. Hospital staff have reported pressure and restrictions from Israeli forces during a raid.

Amid these challenging circumstances, Egyptian health workers were photographed preparing to receive the evacuated babies at the Rafah border. The WHO mentioned that few infants were accompanied by family members, and officials struggled to locate close relatives. Ali Sbeiti, a father, shared his relief upon being reunited with his son, born just before the war began.

The conflict has severely hampered aid delivery and communication, complicating efforts to reach and assist those in need. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated plans for further evacuations from Al-Shifa, dependent on safe passage assurances from the conflicting parties.

This is a developing story and will be updated.