Children wounded by the war in Gaza share their stories as they heal in the U.S.

Key Concepts

• Gaza Casualties: Highest per capita in the world.
• Medical Visas for Palestinians: Paused by the U.S.
• Heal Palestine: Organization evacuating children from Gaza for medical treatment.
• Trauma and Resilience: Stories of children surviving bombings and injuries in Gaza.
• Rehabilitation and New Life: Children adapting to life in the U.S. with prosthetics, therapy, and host families.
• Reconstruction and Hope: Children's aspirations to rebuild Gaza.

Stories of Resilience and Hope from Gaza

This report highlights the profound impact of the conflict in Gaza on its youngest inhabitants, focusing on the stories of children evacuated to the United States for life-saving medical treatment. Despite facing unimaginable loss and trauma, these children demonstrate remarkable resilience and a hopeful outlook for the future.

Amna's Journey: From Bombings to a New Beginning

Amna, a six-year-old girl, experienced her sixth birthday as her "worst birthday ever" when an airstrike destroyed her family home in Gaza on December 4, 2023. The bombing, which occurred seven times in her area, resulted in the death of her 14-year-old cousin and a head injury that temporarily blinded her sister. Amna recounts the terrifying experience of carrying her injured sister, who was bleeding and couldn't see, to a corner for safety. The delayed medical care at an overwhelmed hospital meant that Amna's leg had to be amputated, even as bombs continued to fall. She describes becoming accustomed to the constant bombing. Amna, along with her mother and three-year-old brother Omar, arrived in New Jersey in March, seeking to piece together a new life. Her father and sister remain in Gaza.

Heal Palestine: Providing Medical Evacuations

Steve and his wife, co-founders of the organization Heal Palestine, have been instrumental in evacuating over 60 children from Gaza to the U.S. for medical treatment over the past two years. Steve, a former journalist, was inspired to change his career path after encountering an injured child in 1990 who had lost legs and a hand due to a bomb. He felt a "global responsibility" and an "individual responsibility" to help such children. Heal Palestine aims to create a "healing community" where evacuated families can live together, providing them with love and support to help them "start to feel whole again." Steve's wife expresses the emotional toll of seeing her own children safe and well-fed, contrasting it with the losses faced by children in Gaza.

Zara's Ordeal: Surviving Burns and Loss

Zara, a 19-year-old, recounts the devastating moment when bombs fell outside her family home in Gaza, just minutes after she had reassured her shaken younger brother. The blast killed her 15-year-old and eight-year-old brothers and left Zara with burns over 60% of her body. She learned of her brothers' deaths when she heard her sister screaming and later heard one of her brothers stop breathing. Blocked from leaving her neighborhood by Israeli troops, her family struggled to keep her alive with home supplies, her father resorting to wiping her with vinegar to prevent infection, despite the expired medicine causing her immense pain. After her evacuation, Zara was unable to use her legs, arms, or neck and has undergone multiple surgeries with many more anticipated. She remains determined to move forward, stating, "Nothing is going to stop life for you, you have to keep going and looking forward toward your future."

Adam's Courage: A Four-Year-Old's Resilience

Adam, a four-year-old, is described as a "force of nature" with an insatiable curiosity and stubbornness typical of his age, yet he has already survived the extraordinary. In July 2024, an explosion in his family's tent in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed his entire family and resulted in the loss of most of his right leg. He was evacuated with his grandmother. Initially, Adam cried constantly, asking for his parents and wanting to go to his "dad in heaven." He now lives with a host family in Chicago, where he is being helped to walk. His host mother sees him as a reflection of her own son and prays to live long enough to see him grow into a man.

Fares' Dream: Rebuilding Gaza

Fares, a 15-year-old, tries to keep Gaza close by listening to its music and watching scenes from his homeland. He cherishes memories of riding bikes and playing soccer with his friends. In April 2024, while walking to retrieve forgotten glasses, Fares was hit by a bomb. He has no memory of the event or its immediate aftermath, having been in a coma for a week. He awoke to find he had lost both his legs, trading his bike for a wheelchair. With his mother and sister by his side, Fares is a quick learner, eager to master new songs. He is dedicated to his studies, aspiring to become an engineer to "build Gaza back up again so it will be better than it ever was, better even than America." He expresses a desire to return to Gaza in two to three years when it has "grow[n] back stronger." His ultimate dream is to become a doctor to help those in need.

Conclusion: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Devastation

The stories of Amna, Zara, Adam, and Fares, though harrowing, offer a powerful testament to the indomitable spirit of children facing unimaginable circumstances. The efforts of organizations like Heal Palestine, coupled with the compassion of host families and medical professionals, provide a crucial lifeline for these young survivors. While the scars of war are deep and the path to recovery is long, their dreams of rebuilding and creating a better future for Gaza shine as a beacon of hope.