In Gaza, death seems easier than amputation
A 9-year-old Palestinian girl who had her right leg amputated, sits on a bed at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah on 24 December 2024
Eman Abu Zayed writes in Al Jazeera on 21 July 2025:
“Ten children a day losing a limb in Gaza, warns UN-backed body”, this is the latest horrific headline to come out of Gaza.
The article reports: “134,105 people including over 40,500 children have suffered new war-related injuries since the war began in October 2023.” Behind these shocking statistics are real children in real pain who have lost a part of their body, their childhood and their dreams.
My 12-year-old relative Osama is one of them. He escaped death twice, but each time he lost part of his family until only he remained.
The first time, he was at his grandparents’ house, along with his mother, grandmother and sisters. An Israeli air strike hit the home, killing everyone except Osama.
The second time, he was at a school-turned-shelter when Israel bombed it. His father and seven uncles were all killed. Osama survived but lost his leg.
My father and I visited him at Al-Aqsa Hospital to check on him. At the gate of the hospital, a child greeted us; he was selling water in a plastic bag, holding it with one hand; his other hand was amputated. Inside, the scene at the ward where Osama was admitted was gut-wrenching. Dozens of amputees were lying on beds and on the floor.
We found Osama lying in his bed. He spent most of the visit crying. Every movement was difficult for him.