Since obtaining her Irish visa in February, a bedroom in Ballaghaderreen has been prepared awaiting the arrival of Najwa Alsabbagh (74). However, she remains stuck in northern Gaza amid severe bombardment. Her daughter, Sherin Alsabbagh, an Ireland-residing citizen, asserts that the time window for her mother’s escape narrows as chaotic conditions persist. Sherin is prepared to bear any expense to evacuate her mother from Gaza and bring her into safety and comfort in the Irish town of Co Roscommon.
Describing the situation as a dire emergency, Sherin revealed bewilderment regarding reports of Netanyahu’s plans to evacuate northern Gaza and cease the provision of food and foreign aid. She paints a harrowing picture of her mother’s rapidly deteriorating health, with a significant weight loss of approximately 20 kilos attributed to a scarce diet consisting mostly, if not wholly, of bread or rice daily without necessary nutrients nor medication for managing her blood pressure.
Tragedy has also struck Najwa in the form of immense family loss, having grieved nearly 200 loved ones, including a sister, and several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and their respective families. Sherin painfully describes her mother’s distressing predicament saying, “She is a 74-year-old woman forced to dart through the streets, passing deceased bodies for safety.”
Najwa voiced her constant terror in a recent conversation with Sherin. She shares her experience of fear and uncertainty amidst indiscriminate air bombings and the alleged obstruction of food supplies in northern Gaza, which has amplified their struggle for survival and food. Najwa disclosed her worries for her home’s safety following the damages done by prior air strikes, leaving her and others with very limited options other than fleeing to the southern part of Gaza.
Sherin was notified by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the initial part of February that her mother had received approval to enter Ireland, providing Israel would allow her to depart from Gaza. An Irish Aid scholarship brought Sherin to Ireland in 2008 where she began her master’s degree in development studies, and two years ago, she acquired her citizenship. She confirmed she would host Najwa at her Ballaghaderreen residence, where she assists refugees through the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board.
Her brother, along with his family of four children who currently reside with Najwa, had their visas denied. Sherin’s additional two brothers and a sister are settled in Sweden. Sherin had initially intended for her mother to exit via the Rafah crossing into Egypt where a member from the Irish Embassy in Cairo would provide her with the visa and arrange her flight to Ireland.
By May, Israeli authorities had given Najwa permission to exit but the Rafah border crossing had been shut down by then. The closer Erez crossing, to the Alsabbaghs’ residence in the north, had also previously been shut but was only reopened for aid shipments. As reported by the United Nations, Gaza has not received any food for the past fortnight.
Four years after the death of her father, Sherin has appealed to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and the Minister for Health to include her mother’s name in a list of 30 ill children approved by the Cabinet for evacuation to Ireland for medical care. No substantial response has been given yet.
Although it’s been five months, Sherin admits her fortune in the Irish Government allowing her mother a visa but is frustrated about how long it’s taking. Sherin is willing to pay for her mother’s evacuation flight, as the situation does not show signs of improvement.
In close proximity to the Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, Najwa resides. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reportedly assaulted the hospital multiple times since November of last year, and a March hospital siege allegedly led to the destruction of several neighbouring homes.
Sherin recounts the horrifying incident when they were stuck in their home for over a week due to the military tanks patrolling their vicinity. Three families from neighbouring homes were tragically killed, their bodies still trapped under the wreckages. She painfully recalls her mother articulating her fears around the scenario of her death, with the hope that she doesn’t become a feast for the stray dogs wandering around their dilapidated neighbourhood. Her words carry a tinge of despair and resignation, bordering on suicidal ideation.
As per the health ministry under Hamas’ jurisdiction, there have been approximately 42,289 casualties and 98,684 injuries recorded since the previous October. Sherin’s mother, an erudite and former educator, has raised five children together with her spouse. Together they have instilled in their offspring the essence of strength, compassion, and righteousness. They hold no allegiance towards Israel or Hamas, they are, as Sherin puts it, peace-loving individuals.
She expresses her gratitude towards the Irish government for extending their assistance to her mother by processing a visa to enable her to relocate and live with Sherin in Ireland. Nevertheless, Sherin implores them to expedite the procedure.
With each passing minute, Sherin and her mother’s chances of survival in their current situation diminish significantly. If her mother remains in such a dreadful environment, she fears she will not survive.
An official from the Department of Foreign Affairs acknowledges the compelling plight of Najwa Alsabbagh and confirms that they’ve been providing counsel to the family.
Due to the ongoing Israeli military operation in Rafah, the Rafah border crossing, connecting Gaza to Egypt, is now inaccessible, the official noted. The official further revealed that it’s been five months since any civilians have been allowed to leave.