Overview
- The Catholic aid group Caritas presented the “Vehicle of Hope” in Bethlehem after refitting the popemobile used during Pope Francis’s 2014 visit that was originally donated by Mahmoud Abbas.
- The unit is equipped for paediatric examinations, trauma stabilisation and emergency treatment, and can operate off-grid for six to eight hours.
- Organisers say the clinic can handle about 200 consultations daily and is intended to work alongside a network of mobile teams to reach areas standard ambulances cannot.
- Caritas says it has requested authorisation from Israel’s COGAT and is pursuing approvals to move the vehicle into Gaza during a fragile ceasefire.
- Cardinal Anders Arborelius blessed the clinic at the unveiling, emphasizing a message that the world has not forgotten Gaza’s children.