10th group of Gaza children arrive in Jordan for medical treatment

China

10th group of Gaza children arrive in Jordan for medical treatment

2025-08-28 16:27 Last Updated At：08-29 00:17

A total of 19 children from Gaza in need of urgent medical care arrived in Jordan on Wednesday, accompanied by 62 family members.

This is the 10th group of children from Gaza transferred to Jordan for medical treatment.

While some patients will be treated in Jordan, others will be assisted in traveling to third countries for specialized care. After recovery, the children and their families will be returned to Gaza to make room for the next group of patients.

According to family members at the hospital, the conflict has caused immense, nearly unbearable suffering.

"My daughter was injured in an Israeli strike. Shrapnel hit her head, causing a skull fracture and complete aphasia. It also left her right hand and right foot nearly paralyzed, and affected blood circulation. At first, I was nearly crushed and couldn't bear it. Because of famine, my family also suffered from food shortages. It has truly been very difficult," said a patient's mother Salibi.

Jordan's King Abdullah II announced in February that the country is ready to receive up to 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza for treatment. To date, a total of 518 children in 10 batches have been brought to Jordan for medical care.

Officials say Jordan hopes to transfer more patients at a faster pace. However, the effort faces constraints due to logistical and technical challenges faced by the World Health Organization, as well as Israeli restrictions. Ongoing Israeli military operations also make it difficult to guarantee the safety of patients and their families during transfers.

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 62,895, with 158,927 others injured since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on October 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday.

China's Xuelong icebreaker leaves New Zealand for Antarctic expedition after replenishment

China's research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, departed Christchurch, New Zealand for the 42nd Antarctic Expedition on Thursday after completing resupply operations.

The vessel arrived at New Zealand's Lyttelton Port Sunday evening.

During its stay in Lyttelton, the vessel took on 1,200 tons of light oil and replenished supplies including vegetables, fruits, and fresh water.

The light oil will be brought to China's Zhongshan Station in Antarctica, exclusively for fixed-wing aircraft.

Thirty four new crew members boarded the ship in Lyttelton to commence oceanographic operations.

The supplies of fruit, vegetables and other food items include not only items for the Xuelong crew but are also destined for the Qinling Station.

"The Qinling Station has a longer overwintering period, so they will run out of fruits later in the season. To better support their daily needs, we've replenished large quantities of green vegetables, fruits, beverages, as well as beef and mutton," said Li Donghui, the service team leader of the Xuelong vessel.

During its port call, the Xuelong also completed a freshwater replenishment of approximately 600 tons. The freshwater is primarily for drinking and kitchen use, serving as vital daily supplies for the expedition team during their subsequent fieldwork.