Photos of amputees in Gaza, struggling to survive after losing limbs to Israeli airstrikes
NUSEIRAT, Gaza Strip (AP) — Haneen al-Mabhouh, 34, sits in a wheelchair at her family home in central Nuseyrat GazaShe mourns the loss of her four daughters, including her 5-month-old baby, who was killed in an Israeli attack on her home last year. Al-Mabhuh He also lost his leg in the attack and is awaiting permission to travel abroad for further treatment that could restore his mobility.
“I dream of walking again, holding a new baby, rebuilding my family,” she said, her voice heavy with grief. For now, he relies on his parents for basic daily care and can’t even hold a pencil.
Nearby, 23-year-old Yasin Marouf lies in a tent; His left leg was amputated and his right leg was severely injured after being hit by Israeli bombardment in May. His brother is also killed in the same attack, and Marouf has difficulty with basic movements. Doctors say his right leg may also need to be amputated unless he receives treatment outside the Palestinian territories.
“If I want to go to the toilet, two or three people have to carry me,” he said.
Thousands of people in Gaza face similar challenges. 16-year-old Youssef al-Samri lost both of his legs while carrying water near his home during an Israeli airstrike in May. Sent to a kindergarten in Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood, he rules his world with his hands, relying on support to move around the classrooms where children play.
Twelve-year-old Fadi al-Balbisi is learning to walk again with a prosthesis after losing his right leg due to shelling in April. He works with a prosthetic limb under the guidance of specialists at Hamad Hospital in Zawaida; Each step is a hard-earned milestone on the path to regaining independence.
The World Health Organization estimates that 5,000 to 6,000 people are disabled in Gaza. Israel-Hamas warOne quarter are children. Many face long waits abroad for prosthetics or medical evacuation. Local centers such as the Artificial Limbs and Polio Center in Gaza City are overwhelmed and have only limited resources to provide artificial limbs.
Although a recent shipment of basic prosthetic materials has arrived in Gaza, the need remains critical. Patients like Al-Mabhouh and Marouf face months-long waits for treatments that could prevent further amputations or restore mobility. Even with a ceasefire in place, medical evacuations proceed slowly due to bureaucratic and logistical obstacles.
In the midst of this crisis, the lives of those affected are frozen in uncertainty. For al-Mabhuh, Marouf, al-Samri and al-Balbisi, every day is a struggle for movement, dignity and hope; They navigate the war’s aftermath with resilience and the weak promise of medical aid.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
