Palestinian conjoined twins exit Gaza for separation surgery in Saudi Arabia

Conjoined twins exit Gaza for separation surgery

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A spokesman for Gaza’s border authority says a pair of conjoined twins born in Gaza last month have crossed into Egypt on their way to Saudi Arabia for separation surgery.

Adel Zourab says Gaza’s Rafah crossing was opened briefly Tuesday to allow the twins, their parents and a medical team to cross.

The two girls are joined at the chest and share small intestines. Gaza doctor Ayman Abu Amouna said each has her own heart, lungs and other organs, making it likely they’ll survive separation surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Israel and Egypt have blockaded Gaza since the Hamas militant group overran the territory in 2007. This has made it nearly impossible for Gaza patients to travel abroad for treatment.

Gazan officials say the Saudi involvement helped get the border open.