A U.S.-based charity, HEAL Palestine, has raised concerns over the U.S. State Department’s decision to halt visitor visas for Palestinians from Gaza. The suspension, enacted pending a review, is expected to severely affect children in need of urgent medical treatment in the United States.
HEAL Palestine clarified that its program is funded entirely by private donations and is not a refugee resettlement initiative. The organization brings severely wounded children to the U.S. for medical care that is unavailable in Gaza, with patients returning home once treatment is completed.
In 2025, the State Department had already issued over 3,800 B1/B2 medical visas to Palestinians, including 640 in May. The recent pause on visas from Gaza is reportedly due to alleged security concerns. The decision has drawn criticism from multiple human rights and medical organizations, highlighting the potential life-threatening impact on children requiring specialized medical care.
The halt comes against the backdrop of ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in significant casualties and heightened humanitarian needs. The suspension of medical visas raises urgent questions about the ability of critically ill and injured Gazan children to access necessary treatment in the United States.
The charity and advocacy groups have called on authorities to resume the visa program to ensure that vulnerable children continue to receive essential medical care and support.
