Timeline

Early 2023: Shamm Qudeih is born in Gaza, weeks before the October 7th conflict, already suffering from an undiagnosed rare genetic condition.
October 7, 2023: Hamas-led attacks trigger major Israeli military response and blockade, severely restricting aid and resources into Gaza.
Months Post-October 7: Shamm's condition deteriorates due to severe malnutrition and the inability to access proper diagnosis or treatment for her rare disease amidst constant displacement.
August 9: AP photographer Mariam Dagga captures harrowing images of Shamm in a Gaza hospital, just days before her evacuation.
August 13: Shamm, along with six other children from Gaza, is evacuated to Italy for urgent medical treatment.
August 25: Mariam Dagga, the AP photographer who documented Shamm's struggle, is killed in an Israeli strike on the same hospital in Gaza.
Present: Shamm is recovering at Santobono Pausilipon Pediatric Hospital in Naples, gaining weight and receiving specialized care for her rare genetic disease, celebrating her second birthday.

Different Perspectives

Medical Experts (Dr. Daniele de Brasi, Italy): Express satisfaction with Shamm's progress but emphasize the severity of her initial condition, highlighting the dual challenge of malnutrition and a rare genetic disorder. They point to the specialized care now possible in Italy.
Family (Islam, Shamm's Mother): Describes the harrowing struggle to find medical care and food in Gaza, enduring 15 displacements, and expresses immense relief and gratitude for the life-saving intervention in Italy.
Humanitarian Organizations (UN, WHO): Continuously warn of the catastrophic and worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, noting that reported malnutrition figures are likely underestimations, underscoring the urgent need for sustained aid.
Photojournalism (Associated Press): The story is deeply intertwined with the work and tragic death of AP photographer Mariam Dagga, whose final images powerfully conveyed the human cost of the conflict, giving a face to the suffering.

Regional Perspective

The story starkly contrasts the dire conditions in Gaza, where a protracted conflict and blockade have led to a severe humanitarian catastrophe, with Italy's role as a leading nation in providing critical medical aid. Italy has taken in 181 children from Gaza for treatment, demonstrating a significant commitment to humanitarian assistance. This highlights the global disparities in healthcare access and the necessity of international cooperation to address crises emanating from conflict zones. For professionals, it underscores the importance of understanding geopolitical dynamics and their direct human consequences, particularly concerning refugee and medical mobility pathways.