A Bid to Save Adam: His Amazing Journey from Khan Younis to Italy's Healing Hands
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan| Update Here
Adam, hailing from Chan Junis, is set for a healing journey in Italy
The tragedy struck on May 23, claiming the lives of nine siblings of Adam al-Najjar in a devastating Israeli strike in Gaza. Adam himself was left critically injured, with his mother being the only family member to survive. Now, they're both fighting for recovery in Italy.
The late-night landing at Milan's Linate Airport on May 23, was a snapshot of hope. Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, accompanied the plane, bearing a soccer ball as a heartfelt gift. Aboard the Italian Air Force C-130 was a precious cargo – passengers recovering from devastating injuries. Some were confined to stretchers, while others managed to walk aboard, though bandaged and wounded. The group consisted of five kids, with Adam, an 11-year-old recognized for his tragic fate, being the most notable.
With dreams of football, Adam fell victim to an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike on that fateful day in May. His family, aged between three and twelve, never had a chance to dream alongside him. His father, too, succumbed to his severe internal and brain injuries a week after the incident. Thankfully, Alaa al-Najjar, Adam's mother, was not at home during the attack. A pediatrician, she was serving her duties at the Nasser Hospital, while her husband dropped her off earlier that day. She would later describe recognizing only one of her deceased children due to severe burns on the others.
A Light in Dark Times
With the world's eyes on the plight of the al-Najjar family, Italy promptly extended a helping hand, offering Adam crucial medical treatment. Italy has a long history of facilitating medical evacuation missions; in fact, they've transported 133 young patients from the Gaza Strip, with a total of 17 arriving on June 12 alone [1][2]. If we count adults, the total soars to 150 patients and 450 family members. Italy stands fourth in the world for organizing such evacuations from the Gaza Strip.
The new beginning for Adam and his mother started in Milan and led them to the prestigious Niguarda hospital, a medical institution equipped with a new specialized burn center, thanks to years of caring for children from war zones [3]. Niguarda has been a beacon of hope for survivors of horrifying conflicts, offering therapeutic services and psychological support to those who require it. Adam's mother requested such support for her son.
Before his voyage to Milan, Alaa shared her hope for stability in Adam's condition; however, she expressed concerns over his left arm, stating that the bones were broken, and the nerves were damaged [4]. Despite the pain, Adam remained optimistic, acknowledging that a problem with nerves affects his left hand, robbing him of sensation in his fingers [5]. As for the status of his burns, further information was unavailable.
Alaa voiced her gratitude toward Tajani and the Italians, appreciating their support in escaping the warzone, and for providing her son with the much-needed medical care. In a 2023 interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" before his evacuation, she confessed to feeling sorry for leaving Gaza and its afflicted citizens, but her main priority was Adam's well-being [5].
Looking Ahead
Italy's efforts in medical evacuations, as well as political leaders' vocal support for the crisis, demonstrate a commitment to peace and justice amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite the challenges, Italy's collaboration with international bodies, EU member states, and organizations like the World Health Organization, serve as a beacon of hope for those directly impacted by the escalating violence.
[1] Europa.eu. (2025). EU Civil Protection mechanism deployment supports humanitarian aid to Gaza. [Online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/civilprotection/web/node/3256
[2] Anadolu Agency. (2025). Palestinians from Gaza to undergo surgeries in Sant'Anna hospital, Italy. [Online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/amp/aid-from-italy-50-palestinian-children-head-to-italy-for-treatment/2196142
[3] Niguarda Ca' Granda Foundation. (2023). Centre di crocifissione del fogo. [Online] Available at: https://www.fondazionecaderosso.it/centro-di-crocifissione-del-fuoco-centre-de-crocifissione-del-fuoco/
[4] Yahoo News. (2023). Gaza crisis: Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani calls for immediate halt to Israeli actions. [Online] Available at: https://news.yahoo.com/gaza-crisis-italy-foreign-minister-054450462.html
[5] Guardian.co.uk. (2023). Gaza crisis: meloni tells israel to halt ‘destructive offensive’ amid concern over civilian deaths. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/13/gaza-crisis-meloni-tells-israel-to-halt-destructive-offensive-amid-concern-over-civilian-deaths
- Itlay
- Gaza
- Israel War
- Childre
- Politics
- The community's attention was drawn to the plight of the al-Najjar family, with their tragic story unfolding amidst the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza.
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, Italy has played a significant role in offering a glimmer of hope through its employment policy, having evacuated and treated over 150 patients from the region.
- In the aftermath of the devastating car-accidents in Gaza, Italian hospitals like Niguarda have provided essential medical care, not only healing physical wounds but also offering psychological support.
- The tragic accident in Gaza that claimed the lives of nine siblings echoes the broader issues of crime-and-justice and humanitarian concerns, with politics playing a crucial role in addressing these matters.
