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Mother in Gaza Longs for Triplets in Jerusalem Hospital

Palestinian triplets from al-Bayouk family, born prematurely and separated from their mother who had to leave them at hospital in Jerusalem to recover as she had to return to Gaza after her Israeli-issued permit expired before the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, are cared for at Makassed hospital. Reuters
Palestinian triplets from al-Bayouk family, born prematurely and separated from their mother who had to leave them at hospital in Jerusalem to recover as she had to return to Gaza after her Israeli-issued permit expired before the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, are cared for at Makassed hospital. Reuters
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Mother in Gaza Longs for Triplets in Jerusalem Hospital

Palestinian triplets from al-Bayouk family, born prematurely and separated from their mother who had to leave them at hospital in Jerusalem to recover as she had to return to Gaza after her Israeli-issued permit expired before the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, are cared for at Makassed hospital. Reuters
Palestinian triplets from al-Bayouk family, born prematurely and separated from their mother who had to leave them at hospital in Jerusalem to recover as she had to return to Gaza after her Israeli-issued permit expired before the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, are cared for at Makassed hospital. Reuters

In August 2023, Hanan al-Bayouk travelled from Gaza to Israeli-occupied Arab East Jerusalem for a high-risk birth. Her triplets, born prematurely and underweight, are doing well, but she had to leave them shortly after they were born and does not know when she will be able to hold them again.

Israel's restrictions on the movement of Palestinians meant 26-year-old al-Bayouk returned to Gaza while her babies were still in intensive care for fear of falling foul of the law.

By the time they were ready to go home, war had broken out and she got stuck, with video calls her only way of keeping in touch.

Her daughters Najwa, Nour and Najmah, are being cared for at the Al-Makassed hospital, where there are colourful drawings on the walls, toys, and baby walkers for them to scoot around in.

It is worlds away from conditions for children in Gaza, which has been blockaded and pounded by Israeli forces since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

In March, the UN children's agency said over 13,000 children had been killed in the Gaza conflict, adding that many kids were suffering from severe malnutrition and did not "even have the energy to cry."

The triplets are developing normally, said Dr. Hatem Khammash, director of neonatal intensive care at the hospital.

"Good mental development, also their breathing is good," he said. "The only thing that makes us sad, is that they are far away from their mother."

Doctors and nurses communicate with Hanan via Whatsapp if the family is lucky enough to get internet in Gaza, Reuters reported.

Communications have been hammered by the war, which was triggered when Hamas militants crossed from Gaza into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking back more than 250 hostages.

Israel's subsequent military offensive has killed more than 41,206 Palestinians, wounded 95,337 and flattened many parts of the densely populated strip. Internationally mediated ceasefire negotiations have shown little sign of a breakthrough.

In the meantime, staff at the Al-Makassed hospital, repeat "Mama", "Mama" to encourage the girls to focus on their mother's small image on the phone as they reach out to grab the screen.

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South Lebanon Front: Military or Political Solution?

The funeral of Qassem Bazzi, Mohammed Hashem and Abbas Hammoud, the three paramedics who were killed last Saturday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon (Reuters)
The funeral of Qassem Bazzi, Mohammed Hashem and Abbas Hammoud, the three paramedics who were killed last Saturday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon (Reuters)
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South Lebanon Front: Military or Political Solution?

The funeral of Qassem Bazzi, Mohammed Hashem and Abbas Hammoud, the three paramedics who were killed last Saturday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon (Reuters)
The funeral of Qassem Bazzi, Mohammed Hashem and Abbas Hammoud, the three paramedics who were killed last Saturday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon (Reuters)

Israeli threats against Lebanon have intensified along with renewed military tensions with Hezbollah. This escalation comes amid failed ceasefire negotiations for Gaza, which Hezbollah links to restoring calm on the southern front—a condition reportedly not accepted by Tel Aviv, according to multiple Israeli officials.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib has conveyed through intermediaries that Tel Aviv is not interested in a ceasefire in Lebanon, even if a truce in Gaza is achieved. This message was communicated by US envoy Amos Hochstein a few months ago, raising concerns about whether a military solution will prevail over a political one.

While some analysts believe that a de-escalation in Gaza might lead to heightened tensions in the South, given Israeli officials’ readiness for a northern conflict following the Gaza conflict, others argue that escalation is unlikely and that both fronts will face a similar fate.

Retired Brigadier General Dr. Khalil Helou and Professor of Political Science and International Relations Dr. Imad Salameh agree that the current situation is unlikely to change, predicting that the status quo will persist with “no ceasefire and no expansion of the war.”

In contrast, Riad Kahwaji, Head of the Middle East and Gulf Military Analysis Center – Enigma, sees an increased likelihood of war expansion in Lebanon due to the failed Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kahwaji said: “With the failure of negotiations in Gaza, attention is now shifting to the southern front of Lebanon, which remains in the eye of the storm and within the danger zone.”

For his part, Helou stated: “For 11 months, Tel Aviv has been threatening escalation and will continue to do so. However, the likelihood of war has decreased compared to previous months due to internal and external political factors related to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to take actions that would harm US interests, especially before the American elections.”

Helou noted that Israel continues to systematically destroy areas in the South, over five kilometers from the border, to prevent attacks on northern regions. Despite this, ongoing shelling and rockets from Hezbollah targeting northern towns suggest that the situation will remain unchanged.

Salameh agreed, describing the current situation as a media and psychological war with fluctuating intensity.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Tel Aviv’s renewed threats are part of this ongoing conflict and do not indicate an imminent large-scale invasion of Lebanon or a major conflict with uncertain regional and domestic consequences.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has recently announced shifting military focus northward in preparation for a comprehensive ground operation.

On Tuesday, during a tour of the border area with Lebanon, he stated: “We are shifting the focus of military operations northward in preparation for completing tasks in the South.”

He urged military personnel to “prepare for a comprehensive ground operation at all levels to change the security situation and return residents to their homes.”

Gallant’s statement followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s instruction for the army to prepare for “changing the situation in the North.”

In contrast, Hezbollah continues to link the southern front with the developments in Gaza.

“The enemy will not be able to return settlers to their homes except through one way: stopping the aggression on Gaza,” Deputy Chairman of Hezbollah’s Executive Council Sheikh Ali Damoush said.

He added: “The resistance will not accept changes to the rules of engagement or breaking existing equations. The more the enemy persists in its aggression and expands its attacks, the more the resistance will respond and escalate its operations... Escalation will be met with escalation, and we are not afraid of threats or intimidation."