The Bizarre, Undiagnosed Illness of One Poor Little Girl in Gaza

At the end of the video there is information about how to make donations directly to her family and help her with possible medical attention in Europe or elsewhere.

An interpreter and family members stand with Areej in their home; situated in a part of Gaza worst hit by Israel's white phosphorus bombs, a blatant war crime as yet unpunished. Photos and video by Ken O'Keefe

(GAZA CITY) - Areej is a four-year old girl from Sabra in Gaza. She is an orphan whose father was a killed by an Israeli bomb. The story of Areej is one of so many in this war ravaged place.

Areej's father; killed by an Israeli bomb

A problem associated with almost all third-world environments and all of Gaza, which exists clearly in a worse state than 'third world'- is a lack of medical care.

The well planned Israeli attacks that left more than 1400 people dead here, were beyond devastating for Gaza.

The damages and pain and suffering generated from the military strike on mostly civilian targets in Gaza will go on and on for generations to come.

The Israeli attack destroyed somewhere between 21,000 and 22,000 structures.

Also destroyed: 230 and 280 schools.

During the attacks that began in the winter of 2008 and stretched into the month of January 2009, 80% of the casualties were civilian.

These people saw 52,000 family homes structurally damaged from the military strike.

More than 200 factories and 700 stores and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged.

Also on that list; eight hospitals and 26 primary health care clinics- damaged or destroyed. All were badly needed and when operational, prior to the attack, they were unable to adequately deal with a number of medical conditions.

Almost all of it is related to the Israeli oppression and illegal blockade of Gaza.

As Anthony Lawson relates in the video presentation: 'Gaza in Plain Language:

"The people of Gaza, second-, third-, and fourth-generation dispossessed Palestinians are living in forced exile from land their families inhabited and cultivated for generations."

Children account for over 400 of those killed by Israel during Operation Cast Lead, and half of Gaza's 1.5 million refugees, living in an open air prison camp, are under the age of 15.

The most unfortunate of all of the youthful victims, may well be Areej; she has a skin condition that is undiagnosed; though it worsened severely during the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2008-2009.

Although it is inconclusive where there is a connection, Areej's neighborhood was one of the worst hit by white phosphorus bombs, a blatant war crime as yet unpunished.

Regardless of exactly what this child suffers from or why, it is terribly unfortunate to know that her needs are unmet and there are no real alternatives in Gaza or Egypt.

It is unfair; no child should exist in this state; with caring family members who can not possibly get this child the help she needs due to an illegal war and military blockade that has transformed this historical coastal strip into a perpetual war zone.

To help Areej, make donations directly to: Tuesday's Child, www.tuesdayschild.ie/site/hand_donate.asp, and be sure to specify her family name: Grandfather of Areej; Khamees Banat. Thank you.