Diplomacy Journal Lee | The tragedy of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who cried out, “I’m so scared. Please come and take me,” while isolated among the corpses of her family amidst the horrors of war, left a deep shock on the entire world.

The “23 minutes of silence” highlighted by the film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' continues to resonate deeply within our society.

 

 

In the Gaza Strip, another young life is waiting for a desperate rescue.
Recently, as President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea emphasized international humanitarian principles regarding the situation in the West Bank, messages of support and gratitude toward South Korea and President Lee have been pouring in from Palestinian society.

 

A Palestinian citizen stated via President Lee Jae-myung’s social media, “We have become accustomed to silence and neglect,” adding, “Korea’s choice to look into our suffering holds great significance.” The citizen continued, “We do not ask for miracles. We simply want to be seen and heard,” emphasizing that the interest on the part of the Korean society can bring about tangible change.
 

This appeal goes beyond a mere expression of empathy and is leading to tangible hope for child patients currently awaiting treatment in the Gaza Strip.

 

Amidst this, this publication (Diplomacy Journal) recently received an urgent email from Journalist Basel Khair Al-Din, who is active in the Gaza Strip. It is reported that his son, Tim (Tim Basil Maher Ahmed Khairaldin, 3 years old), is staying at the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza and continuing his struggle for survival amidst extremely poor medical conditions.

 

Basel Khair al-Din, a journalist and Tim's father, appealed for help regarding the dire reality of the Gaza Strip through a letter to the Diplomatic Journal.

 

He cried out, "It is impossible to receive proper medical services due to the complete collapse of the medical system," adding, "I have already lost many family members, but I want to save my son, Tim."

 

"My son is suffering from severe developmental delays and hearing loss. His condition is deteriorating every day, and his life is in danger without immediate external treatment. Please connect me with a hospital that can treat my son. We desperately need transport support and networks to save him."

 

Since birth, Tim has suffered from bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and cannot perceive any external sounds. In complete silence where even the explosions shaking the battlefield cannot reach, the child still stands on the brink of survival.

 

Local medical staff in the Gaza Strip have determined that bilateral cochlear implant surgery is urgently needed to restore his hearing. However, with the medical system in the Gaza Strip virtually collapsed, not only surgeries but even basic examinations are impossible, leaving the child unable to access necessary treatments.

 

exacerbating the child's health condition. Tim, who is three years old, currently weighs only 7 kg and is suffering from severe malnutrition. It has also been reported that he is suspected of having Recurrent Typical Syndrome (RTS), microcephaly (head circumference of 36 cm), and psychomotor developmental delay. Although professional nutritional therapy and precise genetic testing are urgently needed, no medical measures are being taken locally.

 

Ultimately, the only option left for Tim is to leave the Gaza Strip to receive treatment. However, without an external decision to accept him and international solidarity to make this possible, the child's life will inevitably remain on the precarious edge.

 

In a letter, his father, Mr. Basel, stated, "The medical system in the Gaza Strip has virtually collapsed, making it impossible to receive proper treatment," adding, "If immediate external treatment is not provided, the child's life is in danger." He specifically requested the identification of medical institutions responsible for treatment, support for medical transport and movement, and coordination with relevant international networks, emphasizing the need for substantial intervention from the international community and the medical sector.

 

there is no official representative office in the country. Consequently, it is reported that the Palestinian Mission in Tokyo concurrently handles affairs related to Korea.

 

Considering this diplomatic situation, Mr. Basel is reportedly attempting diplomatic contacts to secure his son's treatment, including requesting assistance through the Palestinian Mission in Japan.

 

In his letter, he repeatedly appealed, stating, "Although I have already lost many family members, I want to save my son at all costs," and "External medical assistance is urgently needed because treatment is impossible in the current medical environment."

 

The Palestinian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have given final "approval" for the referral of the team for external treatment. This signifies that a medical judgment has been made that the patient must receive treatment at an external medical institution to survive.

 

However, the process has stalled at the final stage required to lead to actual treatment. The transfer of the patient is currently stalled because the selection of a "host country" (receiving nation), necessary for cross-border treatment, has not been completed. It is reported that the process is being delayed, with the system currently maintaining a status stating, "The request has been approved, and we are awaiting a hospital and country to accept the patient."

 

Ultimately, the team is in a position where they have no choice but to wait for decisions from countries and medical institutions that will provide external treatment.

 

Consequently, Mr. Basil Khair Al-Din is appealing for solidarity and humanitarian assistance from Korean society.

 

This issue is not a matter of medical technology limitations, but rather a matter of the decision to accept treatment and humanitarian solidarity. If even a single excellent medical institution in Korea steps forward as the team's "inviting hospital," we could provide Tim (Tim Basil Maher Ahmed Khairaldin, 3 years old) with the opportunity that we ultimately failed to give to Hind Rajab.
 

The message that Hind Rajab's tragedy has left for our society is clear: we must no longer remain silent. The attention and solidarity of the South Korean medical community and civil society are urgently needed so that Tim, who is currently clinging to life in a precarious state weighing only 7kg, can once again hear the voice of the world and stand up. If we turn a blind eye to this issue now, all that will remain for Tim is the horrific silence of the Gaza Strip.
 

 

[Guide to Solidarity and Cooperation to Save Tim]
Patient: Tim Basil Maher Ahmed Khairaldin (3 years old)
Current Status: Transfer approval completed by WHO and Palestinian Ministry of Health / Overseas host hospital TBD
Required Measures: Cochlear implant surgery, treatment for severe malnutrition, genetic testing (WES), etc.
Inquiries for Cooperation: Diplomatic Journal (aromaesse@naver.com)
Gaza Strip Contact: basilmaher55@gmail.com (Father of Basil Khair Al-Din in Gaza Strip)