Mon Dec 01 10:14:28 UTC 2025: Gazan Boy Awaits Family Reunion in Italy, Hope Hinges on Bone Marrow Match
Padova, Italy – Ten-year-old Abdullah, a young boy from Gaza battling leukemia, may soon be reunited with his family in Italy. Abdullah was evacuated from Gaza in May for life-saving cancer treatment in Padova. He is accompanied by his mother Iman and one-year-old sister Qamar. The rest of his family which consist of his father, brother and another brother, remains in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict. Now, the possibility of a bone marrow transplant offers a glimmer of hope for the entire family.
Doctors in Gaza have taken blood samples from Abdullah’s siblings, sending them to Italy to determine if they are a suitable match for a transplant. A successful match would pave the way for the entire family to join Abdullah in Italy on a medical flight. However, if the siblings are not a match, the family will face a potentially lengthy and difficult application process for family reunification with the Italian government.
Iman expressed her deep concern for her family’s safety in Gaza and the longing for reunification. Abdullah himself misses his siblings and familiar comforts from home.
Abdullah’s evacuation was facilitated by Padova Abbraccia i Bambini, a newly formed NGO. The NGO has played a critical role in helping to provide care for evacuees.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that thousands in Gaza require medical evacuation, but limited resources and ongoing conflict hinder efforts. The WHO is urging countries to offer medical evacuations, as Gaza’s healthcare remains limited. As of July 2024, more than 900 patients have died while awaiting medical evacuations, according to the WHO.
First Piper 