The State Department has suspended a small visa program for Palestinians from Gaza, citing the need for a procedural review. The pause blocks medical-humanitarian visas that had allowed seriously ill children to travel abroad for treatment.
The decision comes as Gaza’s health system remains on the brink after nearly two years of war and siege. For many families, the program was one of the few options left to access lifesaving care.
Officials did not give a timeline for reinstating the visas. The move followed criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who called the initiative an “abomination” and pressed the Trump administration to end it. Loomer later claimed she had influenced the decision and thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rights groups condemned the suspension, saying it tilts U.S. policy further toward Israel and undermines Washington’s human rights commitments. President Trump has acknowledged “real starvation” in Gaza, but his administration continues to back Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The halt also reflects the weight of U.S. domestic politics in Middle East policy. Critics argue it jeopardizes the evacuation of Palestinian children that aid groups arranged last year, while supporters see it as a step toward tighter immigration control.
Analysts say the suspension is less about administrative checks than about political signaling. It underscores Washington’s struggle to balance alliance commitments, security concerns, and humanitarian obligations in one of the region’s most volatile crises.
