Israel and Qatar Plan Medical Relief for Gaza Hostages, Including One with Celiac Disease

Celiac.com 02/16/2024 - In addition to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, a separate humanitarian crisis has unfolded among Israeli hostages in Gaza, who have gone without essential medical treatment for over 100 days. The situation has raised serious concerns about the health and well-being of these individuals, many of whom are grappling with chronic illnesses. Reports from Maariv highlight the severity of the conditions, with some individuals suspected to have succumbed to infectious diseases amid the harsh living conditions in the strip.

In a significant development, talks between Israel and Qatar have included plans to transfer life-saving medicine to address the health issues faced by the Israeli hostages. This collaborative effort is a response to the urgent need for medical intervention and aims to provide much-needed drugs to those in captivity, including those with inflammatory bowel disease and endocrine disease.

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The critical medical support includes a range of medications targeting various health conditions prevalent among the hostages. Some of the key medications expected to be transferred include:

Celiac Disease and Asthma

Several individuals among the hostages, including 21-year-old Omer Shem Tov from Herzliya, suffers from asthma. Omer, who has been using inhalers since childhood, also battles celiac disease, which brings symptoms such as anemia, weakness, and severe stomach pains. Crucial medications for asthma, such as Ventolin inhalers and corticosteroids like Felixotide, are vital for managing acute attacks with oral or intravenous steroids. It's unclear, but very doubtful, that Shem Tov has had access to gluten-free food, which is crucial in treating his celiac disease. 

Diabetes

Diabetes is another significant health concern among hostages in Hamas captivity, requiring medication through pills and insulin injections. Without proper treatment, these patients face elevated blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of heart attacks, blindness, and amputation. The planned medical support includes oral drugs like metformin and insulin injections to regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, glucose meters for self-monitoring are expected to be provided.

Nearsightedness

Many hostages are dealing with myopia, exacerbating their vision problems due to poor lighting conditions in captivity. Estimates suggest that glasses will be provided based on the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness and the specific lens prescription, known as "diopter."

Cardiovascular Diseases

Hypertension, a prevalent chronic disease, affects some older hostages. Interruption in drug treatment can lead to life-threatening increases in blood pressure. Israel plans to deliver blood pressure medications, including "beta blockers," "calcium blockers," or "angiotensin inhibitors." Additionally, some patients may receive aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, along with cholesterol-lowering drugs from the "statins" group.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Omer Vankert, a 22-year-old from Gadera, suffers from ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. The expected medical support includes the transfer of the Rafcel drug, crucial for preventing serious digestive system disorders such as abdominal pain, fluid loss, bleeding, and anemia.

Endocrine Diseases

Some hostages with chronic illnesses also face hormonal system disorders, like 42-year-old Hanan Yablonka from Tel Aviv, who has hypothyroidism and Addison's disease. The medications "Altroxin" and corticosteroids are vital to preventing life-threatening dysfunction in the thyroid and adrenal glands.

As the international community closely watches these developments, the delivery of these medications is seen as a crucial step in addressing the medical crisis faced by the hostages in Gaza. The collaboration between Israel and Qatar provides hope for improved health outcomes for those in captivity. The humanitarian effort emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of individuals, even in challenging geopolitical situations.

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