NAPLES, Italy (AP) Little Shamm Qudeih, who arrived in Italy from Gaza in a severely malnourished state, has recently celebrated her second birthday and is making significant progress in her recovery. She has gained weight due to a new diet that includes a specialized porridge, as doctors continue to treat her for severe malnutrition compounded by a rare genetic metabolic disorder known as glycogen storage disease.
Shamm was evacuated to Italy alongside six other Palestinian children after enduring months of inadequate food and medical treatment amid an Israeli blockade designed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. A heart-wrenching photograph of Shamm, taken by Associated Press freelance journalist Mariam Dagga just days before her departure from Gaza on August 13, shows the toddler clinging to her mother, emaciated and suffering. Dagga, who had been closely following Shamm's case, tragically lost her life in an Israeli airstrike during an attack on a hospital in southern Gaza on August 25.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is severe, with more than half a million people experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger due to the ongoing blockade and conflict. Reports indicate that Gaza City is now experiencing famine conditions. Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable, with hundreds confirmed to suffer from acute malnutrition, prompting international concern.
Since her arrival in Naples, where she is receiving treatment at the Santobono Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Shamm has shown signs of improvement. Initially weighing around 4 kilograms (9 pounds), she now weighs approximately 5.5 kilograms (over 12 pounds). Doctors have noted that although this remains under the median weight for a child of her age, her progress is promising. Dr. Daniele de Brasi, a pediatric genetic disease specialist, emphasized that her condition stems significantly from her genetic disorder, which disrupts nutrient absorption, especially carbohydrates, and affects growth and muscle strength.
Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Shamm's situation worsened, marked by the family’s displacement more than a dozen times in search of medical attention. Her mother, Islam Qudeih, conveyed the challenges they faced while trying to secure adequate care for Shamm. Despite the family’s continuous efforts, medical facilities in Gaza were unable to properly diagnose or treat her condition due to a lack of resources, leading to a deterioration in Shamm's health.
Islam describes the harrowing experience of displacement, sharing that they frequently traveled under harsh conditions to find medical help for her daughter. Although some medical interventions provided temporary relief, such as special formulas, they were often ineffective as Shamm had developed an aversion to milk amid dwindling supplies in Gaza.
Upon reaching Italy, Shamm now enjoys a nourishing diet that includes a carbohydrate-rich porridge, while receiving overnight feeding through a tube to ensure her nutrient intake. The medical team aims to gradually increase her daily calorie consumption, with a focus on careful weight management to avoid potential health complications.
Alongside Shamm, her 10-year-old sister Judi has also been receiving treatment, as she was found to be underweight as well. Judi has shown progress, gaining weight and showing signs of good health. With both daughters on the road to recovery, Islam has started to relax but remains hesitant about returning to Gaza, especially given the ongoing conflict and lack of resources available for proper care.
Currently, Shamm is one of 181 Palestinian children receiving medical assistance in Italy, with many of them newly arrived as the situation in Gaza continues to escalate. As humanitarian organizations and journalists document these crises, the ongoing military operations and blockade raise serious questions about the levels of aid allowed into Gaza and the desperate conditions faced by families like the Qudeihs.
Shamm’s recovery is a beacon of hope amidst a backdrop of tragedy and suffering, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian assistance and intervention in Gaza.
