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Gaza Visa Suspensions Leave Children Seeking Medical Care in Limbo
The U.S. State Department announced a halt to all visitor visas for residents of Gaza, including children requiring urgent medical attention, pending a comprehensive review of recent temporary medical-humanitarian visa issuances. This announcement, posted on X on Saturday, follows recent transfers of Gazan children seeking medical treatment in the US.
State Department data reveals 3,804 B1/B2 visas were granted to individuals with Palestinian Authority travel documents between January and May 2025. While the data lacks specifics on the purpose of travel, B2 visas typically cover tourism and medical treatment, while B1 visas are for business.
Nonprofit organization HEAL Palestine reported the successful transfer of 11 critically injured children and 26 family members from Gaza to Jordan on July 30, 2025. The children, suffering from amputations, burns, and trauma-related complications, were slated to enter the U.S. in August.
HEAL Palestine highlights the inability of Gaza’s strained healthcare system to adequately address these critical medical needs. The State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on the visa suspension and its potential impact on these children.