She survived an Israeli raid that left babies decomposing. Now she awaits treatment

What Happened

According to an account given to Middle East Eye by Samar Hammad, she gave birth to Nour Abu Samaan just before the October 2023 war and took her to al-Nasr Children's Hospital after she fell ill from inhaling toxic gases from nearby Israeli strikes. As Israeli forces advanced on the hospital, shelling and later cutting oxygen supplies to the neonatal intensive care unit, staff instructed mothers to evacuate; Hammad refused and, on 9 November 2023, carried Nour out against medical advice shortly before the raid intensified. Later that day, the Israeli military struck the hospital and cut oxygen, and the following day staff were ordered to leave, forcing them to abandon infants still in incubators. When healthcare workers returned on 28 November during a temporary ceasefire, they found four babies dead. Nour is believed to be the only incubator ward survivor. After fleeing al-Nasr, Hammad and Nour took shelter in a school and later reached al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where Nour was diagnosed with brain calcification likely caused by phosphorus gas inhalation. Hammad spent six months taking Nour for daily physiotherapy at al-Wafa Hospital, while also enduring severe shortages of water and food due to Israel's siege. She described walking up to seven hours daily to find water, and a displaced man secretly helped her with his family's supply.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The survival of Nour Abu Samaan amid the Israeli raid on al-Nasr Children's Hospital illustrates the severe toll of military operations on Gaza's most vulnerable populations — newborns in intensive care. The deliberate cutting of oxygen and forced evacuation of medical staff, combined with the broader siege, raise legal and humanitarian concerns regarding the targeting of healthcare facilities. The incident contributes to allegations of conduct prohibited under international law, at a time when the ICC and ICJ are investigating the conflict. It also underscores the long-term health consequences for survivors in an environment where medical care is crippled by blockade.

Watch For

Further documentation of the al-Nasr Hospital incident by humanitarian agencies or commissions of inquiry; any Israeli military statements or investigations into the cutting of oxygen and infant deaths; ICC and ICJ proceedings regarding attacks on medical facilities; Nour's ongoing medical condition and whether she receives adequate treatment amid the siege; ceasefire and humanitarian access negotiations that could affect civilian medical evacuations.