After days of relative calm in Gaza, rocket fire has resumed in the contested Palestinian territory. Trapped in the middle of the fighting are a young Canadian woman who moved to the region in 2013 after marrying a local man, and the couple’s two small children.
22-year-old Malak Hammad’s family, who spent the first 21 years of her life in Calgary, is stuck in Gaza and a return to Canada seems nearly impossible. Concerns for the young woman’s wellbeing are amplified as her second child was expected to arrive in September but the baby made an early appearance.
The harrowing situation has left Malak’s parents on edge in their Calgary home.
“I was calling her almost every hour just to make sure she's still breathing and didn't die,” explains Hana Algergawi, Malak’s mother.
At the onset of labour, Malak was turned away from one local hospital. The denial of services turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the building sustained significant damage during an attack the following day.
In need of medical attention, the family arrived at the Al-Shifa Hospital, the main hospital in Gaza, and the child, Hatem was delivered through an emergency cesarian section. Hatem, born two months premature, was placed in an incubator in the hospital’s NICU.
In the hours following Hatem’s arrival, explosions in a densely populated neighbourhood sent a flood of victims to the hospital.
“The doctors, the nurses, everyone was really stressed and not really able to attend to me,” recollects Malak during a phone interview with CTV.
After the birth, the mother was sent home, without her newborn son, to begin her recovery. Days later, the 22-year-old received an alarming phone call indicating her building may be the target of an upcoming attack.
“At this point I’m completely terrified,” said Malak. “I know what this call means, but I can’t believe that I’m being called.”
The family fled their home and remained displaced for several days.
Malak wants to escape Gaza and its dangers, but Hatem, only weeks old, remains in hospital. The newborn does not have a Canadian passport and a trip to the nearest embassy, located in Egypt, would be a difficult undertaking for the young mother.
Malak has asked the Canadian government to assist her family, including the newborn and one year old Hossam, in their attempt to escape the war-torn region.
Officials with Canadian Foreign Affairs say they are aware of Malak Hammad’s plight, but they are limited in their ability to help. Since 2000, the department has recommended against Canadian travel to Gaza.
In Calgary, a worried mother and grandmother continues to fear the worst.
“You need to get her out, because she's going to die if you don't,” said Hana Algergawi.
