A critical and rapidly worsening condition is threatening the life of four-month-old Palestinian infant Aysel Al-Hams (also referred to as Aysel Al-Hums), who suffers from a rare and severe genetic disorder known as congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma (a form of epidermolytic ichthyosis).

Since birth, the disease has caused extensive skin peeling and severe thickening of the skin, with dense, painful scales covering much of her body. She also suffers from serious ulcers affecting both the upper and lower limbs, contractures and stiffness in the lower extremities, and moderate respiratory distress. Her fragile skin barrier leaves her highly vulnerable to infections, and her condition continues to deteriorate day after day, placing her life at ever-increasing risk.

Reports from June 2026 described the infant (then about three months old) living with her family in a makeshift tent in a displacement camp in Gaza. Due to the extreme fragility of her skin, even minor scratches or bites pose a severe threat; family members reported repeated attacks by rats that could lead to life-threatening infections. Specialized dermatological care, treatments for contractures and deformities, infection prevention measures, and genetic testing for the parents to confirm the hereditary condition are urgently needed but largely unavailable under current conditions in Gaza.

Doctors have recommended her transfer to a specialized medical center outside the Strip for advanced care. Her medical referral has been prepared, but evacuation remains delayed. The family’s tragedy has already been compounded by the earlier loss of an older sibling, who died at just 50 days old from a congenital heart disease.

Aysel is fighting a battle for survival in an environment of extreme hardship, with limited access to appropriate medical supplies, a clean and controlled environment, or specialized pediatric dermatology. Continued delays increase the risk of severe complications, including systemic infection and further deterioration of her respiratory and overall condition.

Sources:

• Reports and video coverage from Eye on Palestine, AJ+ Français, Al Jazeera Arabic, and Palestinian news accounts (including PalinfoAr and others) from late June 2026 documenting Aysel Al-Hams’ condition, living situation, and appeals for medical evacuation.
• Descriptions of her symptoms consistent with congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma / epidermolytic ichthyosis as reported in associated media and family appeals.
• Broader context on challenges facing infants with rare genetic and skin conditions in Gaza amid limited healthcare capacity.