She died less than two days after arriving in Italy. Her condition, due to malnutrition, was too serious. Her name was Marah Abu Zuhri, 20 years old, and she was part of a group of Palestinians evacuated from Gaza and brought to our country to receive the necessary medical care. Lifesaving medical treatment is impossible to obtain in the Strip, where everything is lacking: food, water, medicine, and medical devices.
The girl died yesterday afternoon, Friday, August 15. She had landed in Pisa during the night between 13 and 14 August aboard an Italian Air Force C130J, departing from Eilat, in southern Israel, and arriving at the 46th Air Brigade airport together with other Palestinian patients and their families. The young woman, accompanied by her mother, had been urgently transferred to Cisanello immediately after arriving in Italy. Her condition, from the moment of hospitalization, had appeared desperate due to the severe malnutrition and the profound organic deterioration she was experiencing. After initial clinical assessments and the initiation of supportive care, on August 15th she suffered a respiratory crisis followed by cardiac arrest, rendering all resuscitation attempts futile. Her death was announced by the University Hospital of Pisa (AOUP), which also informed the Prefecture, which initiated the procedures required for international cases.
"Deep sorrow" and "the solidarity of all Tuscan citizens with the family" were expressed by the President of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani."The regional healthcare system and its staff, whom I thank," Giani stated,"will always be at the forefront to ensure maximum support for the people of Gaza." For the President of the Regional Council, Antonio Mazzeo,"Marah did not die of illness, but was killed by hunger: at 20, one should laugh, run towards dreams, lose and rediscover oneself in passions, desires, and love, but she had to fight against the cruelest weapon: the deprivation of bread, water, and the right to life."
The medical evacuation operation was conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with the World Health Organization. In total, approximately 120 people were brought to Italy from Gaza, including 31 children seriously injured by shrapnel and bombing and in very critical conditions. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was the"largest medical evacuation operation carried out since January 2024." The humanitarian convoy included three special flights provided by the Italian Air Force, which landed at Ciampino, Pisa, and Linate airports.
