PONTASSERCHIO, Italy (AP) — Funeral services were conducted for Marah Abu Zuhri, a young Palestinian woman who tragically passed away in Italy shortly after her evacuation from Gaza. The funeral took place on August 20, 2025, and it brought significant attention to the dire conditions faced by Palestinians in the besieged region. Hundreds attended the service, which was marked by chants of “Free Palestine” and included speeches from local Italian authorities condemning Israel's actions in Gaza while expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The ceremony unfolded in the Park of Peace in Pontasserchio, near Pisa, where mourners paid their respects before Zuhri's coffin, which was adorned with a Palestinian flag and a traditional keffiyeh scarf. The 19-year-old was previously reported to have leukemia; however, Italian doctors found no evidence of this diagnosis, instead identifying severe malnutrition and health issues that had likely been overlooked or improperly diagnosed.
The United Nations has highlighted that 22 months of conflict have led to a breakdown of Gaza’s healthcare system, with reports indicating that famine conditions are worsening. Israel has started a new military offensive in some of the most populated areas of Gaza, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
Mayor Matteo Cecchelli, who led the service, expressed his desire to honor Zuhri’s life and to "make noise" about what he termed a political and humanitarian “catastrophe” in Gaza. He remarked on the daily casualties among the Palestinian population and criticized the inaction of world governments regarding the situation. The mayor emphasized the need for public outcry in support of those affected by the ongoing violence and hardship, referring to it as genocide.
Marah Abu Zuhri arrived in Italy during a humanitarian airlift on August 13-14, along with 31 other sick or injured Palestinians. This evacuation was part of a broader effort that has brought almost 1,000 critically ill Palestinians and their families to Italy since the onset of the war. Officials from Israel claimed that Zuhri had leukemia, asserting that Hamas had manipulated the situation, although they provided no evidence to support this assertion.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that evacuations for medical treatment are frequently delayed or canceled by Israeli authorities, with at least 18,000 individuals in need of treatment outside the territory. Upon arrival at Pisa University’s Santa Chiara Hospital, a well-regarded oncology facility, Zuhri was found in a severely weakened state and died just two days later, on August 15.
The hospital staff revealed that while Zuhri was initially diagnosed with suspected acute leukemia, subsequent tests showed no presence of leukemia cells. Dr. Sara Galimberti, the head of the hospital's hematology department, stated that Zuhri likely suffered from a misdiagnosis, which contributed to her critical condition. Although the hospital initiated nutritional therapy and blood transfusions, her health was too compromised for a timely recovery.
Zuhri’s mother, Nabeela Abu Zuhri, accompanied her daughter during the evacuation and expressed her gratitude for the efforts made to save Marah. At the funeral, she shared her pain, stating that she was leaving a piece of her heart in Italy as she prepared to return to Gaza. The imam of Pisa, Mohammad Khalil, who interpreted for her, highlighted the ongoing food shortages in Gaza, expressing solidarity with the stricken population.
The mayor indicated that the burial area designated for Muslims would serve as a memorial to the difficult plight faced by Palestinians, underscoring the ongoing issues of starvation and malnutrition, which have reached alarming levels according to UN reports. Recent statistics revealed that nearly 12,000 children under five were suffering from acute malnutrition in July 2025, with many experiencing severe hunger crisis conditions. Despite criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly denied claims of a starvation policy in Gaza.
