Popemobile to become a health clinic for children from Gaza

One of Francis’s Popemobiles, who is used by the late Ponif to greet thousands of people, will be transformed into a mobile health clinic to help Gaza’s children.

Following the request of Pope Francis, the vehicle used during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014 is rethought with everything needed to care for the front line in a war zone, said the Charity Caritas, which monitors the project.

“There will be quick tests, seam kits, syringes, oxygen stocks, vaccines and a small refrigerator for storage of medicines,” the statement is explained.

The Vatican said it was “Pope’s last wish for Gaza’s children” before he died last month. Currently, the vehicle is in Bethlehem and will enter Gaza if and when Israel opens a humanitarian corridor.

The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza strip killed over 15,000 children and displaced nearly one million since it broke out in October 2023, UNICEF reports.

Israel has blocked humanitarian aid Since entering the tape for more than two months, which has left “families who are struggling to survive” as food, clean water and medicines reach critically low levels, the UN agency said.

For now, Caritas will have to wait until Israel opened the corridor again for help – but when that happens, they say they will be ready.

“With the vehicle, we will be able to reach children who do not have access to health care today – children who are injured and malnourished,” said Caritas Sweden Secretary General in a statement.

A team of doctors will manage the mobile clinic that will have the ability to examine and treat patients, and will have a specialized guide. Some details are still being finalized as how to make the vehicle safe from potential explosions, G -N Brune told the BBC.

“It’s not just a vehicle, it’s a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in gas,” he said.

During his pontiffy, Pope Francis made many dispassionate remarks about the war in Gaza, calling the humanitarian situation in the “shame” tape. During his last speech on Easter Sunday, he called on all the “warring parties” to agree to end the fire and speak of the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis.

During 18 months of war he, according to messages Called parishioners in Gaza Night In order to verify their well -being and suggested the international community to investigate whether Israel’s military offensive in gas must be classified as a genocide – a claim that Israel has firmly denied.

Popemobile is one of a number of specially converted vehicles that allow Pontif to congratulate huge crowds of well -wishers during official visits. He managed to sit or stand as he rolled, surrounded by security agents, and his design allowed the assemblers to have a clear look at the Pope.

Popemobiles in the past were resistant to bullets after an attempt to kill Pope John Paul II in 1981, but Francis told the Spanish media in 2014 that he did not like the design of the Sardin glass, which separated it from people.

The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross -border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and 251 others were taken hostage. Hamas still holds 59 hostages.

Israel’s military campaign was killed at least 52,243 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

On Monday, Israel’s Security Cabinet generally approved in principle Plan for resumption of deliveries and distribution of humanitarian aid Through private companies, but UN agencies and other auxiliary agencies said the proposal would be a violation of the basic humanitarian principles and that they would not cooperate.