Noura, a 26-year-old Palestinian woman, is left devastated after losing her hopes of motherhood following the destruction of IVF embryos during Israel's military campaign. Having struggled for years with infertility, Noura and her husband, Mohamed, celebrated the positive results of an IVF pregnancy in July 2023. However, as the conflict escalated following a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, their dreams quickly turned into horror.
"The moment the Israelis came in, something in me said it was all over," Noura recalls. The couple, like many in Gaza, were forced to flee their home amid relentless bombings, making it increasingly difficult for Noura to access vital care for her pregnancy. Tragically, she suffered a severe hemorrhage, leading to the loss of one twin before birth and the other hours later.
Noura and Mohamed’s agony was compounded when they learned that their two frozen embryos, stored at Gaza's Al-Basma Fertility Centre, had been irreparably destroyed in airstrikes that targeted the clinic. Dr. Baha Ghalayini, the clinic's director, shared his heartbreak, revealing that the facility housed nearly 4,000 frozen embryos as well as sperm and egg samples. The destruction, which he attributes to military action, has left many hopeful parents in despair.
Reports indicate that as many as 150 women may have lost their only chance at having children, as many are too old or ill to pursue further fertility treatments. "These are not just numbers; these are people's dreams," Dr. Ghalayini lamented, emphasizing the deep emotional toll on families affected by the situation.
The Israel Defense Forces have stated they do not deliberately target fertility clinics, insisting they abide by international law. However, the incident has reignited debates on allegations of war crimes against Palestinian infrastructure that hinders civilian life, including reproductive health services.
With all nine fertility clinics in Gaza reportedly destroyed, couples like Noura and others, such as Sara Khudari and Islam Lubbad, are grappling with the painful reality of lost embryos and shattered hopes for parenthood. "I watched everything collapse," Sara expressed, mourning the potential futures that have been wiped away.
While some aid agencies have tried to reach those affected, the ongoing violence severely limits their efforts, leaving countless families in Gaza without essential reproductive health services.
