US State Department halts Gaza visas after injured Palestinian children arrive at SFO

AFTER THREE CHILDREN FROM GAZA arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive pro bono treatment at local hospitals this month, some right-wing activists used their arrival as supposed evidence that national security is at risk, leading to the U.S. State Department to pause visas for people attempting to travel for medical and humanitarian reasons from Gaza.  

HEAL Palestine, an Ohio-based nonprofit with volunteers and staff from around the world, has been coordinating medical evacuations from Gaza to the United States for children aged between 6 and 15 to receive life-saving care at medical facilities. According to the group, they have connected a total of 63 injured children with care across the country without funding from governments or businesses.