1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

A group of American healthcare professionals on medical mission have been refused exit from northern Gaza by Israeli authorities. Their mission, which was authorized by Israeli authorities, began with clearance to enter Gaza on January 9th, 2024, and was scheduled to end with their safe departure on January 22nd, 2025. However, Israeli authorities have since denied their requests to move south, preventing them from exiting northern Gaza. The group includes 11 U.S. citizens, three of whom are surgeons with scheduled procedures for American patients back home on Monday, January 27, 2025. The Israeli blockade preventing their movement from northern to southern Gaza has placed their lives at imminent risk amid heavy bombardment, despite an ongoing ceasefire. This is not only a humanitarian crisis but an urgent matter of life and death. Dr. Nimr Ikram (TX) Dr. Omair Ilyas (CA) Dr. Aslam Akhtar (CA) Dr. Tarik Elmohd (FL) Dr. Mohamed Kuziez (CO) Dr. Sameer Ahmad (CA) Dr. Omar Malas (OH) Dr. Asad Khan (TX) Dr. Shehzad Batliwala (TX) Nurses: Nor Rizek (AZ) & Marie Zhang (OH)