State Department halts Gaza medical visas

The United States pauses Gaza medical-humanitarian visas while it reviews visa procedures for medical evacuees.

State Department halts Gaza medical-humanitarian visas

The U.S. State Department said on X that it will stop all visitor visas for people from Gaza while it conducts a full review of the medical-humanitarian visa process. The department described the halt as temporary and said the affected group is small.

HEAL Palestine, an Ohio-based humanitarian group, helps evacuate injured children and their families to U.S. cities for medical treatment. The organization reports it has evacuated 148 people from Gaza, including 63 children. On Aug 4, HEAL Palestine announced the arrival of 11 critically injured children and their siblings and caregivers in several major cities for medical care.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer claimed on X that HEAL Palestine is mass importing Gazans into the United States under a false humanitarian claim. She said the Trump administration should shut this down immediately. Loomer later said the policy was fantastic news.

CAIR leader Edward Ahmed Mitchell condemned the move, calling it cruel and saying it could put children at greater risk. He argued that the United States has a special moral obligation to provide medical treatment or allow families to seek care in the U.S. The situation comes amid ongoing fighting in Gaza and rising humanitarian needs, with UN-backed assessments showing severe food insecurity and many civilians at immediate risk.

The decision exposes a clash between security concerns and humanitarian duties in U.S. policy. It shows how advocacy and social media can influence government actions, sometimes more quickly than traditional diplomacy. The review raises questions about how transparent the criteria will be and whether exceptions for urgent medical care will be maintained.

In Gaza, the pause heightens uncertainty for families waiting for treatment and for groups coordinating evacuations. It underscores the fragility of humanitarian channels during conflicts, and the pressure on U.S. agencies to balance safety with lifesaving aid.

Highlights

Policy choices here will shape aid access and the public perception of humanitarian responsibility.