Gazan Three-Year-Old Who Lost Both Legs in Israeli Bombardment Walks Again After Treatment in the U.S.

In a remarkable story, doctors in America have celebrated the progress of a three-year-old Gazan girl who has begun to walk again just six months after both her legs were amputated.

Rahaf Saed received her first set of prosthetic legs last Tuesday in Missouri, following severe injuries sustained during an Israeli bombing of her home in Gaza last August.

She was one of eight children who arrived in the US in early December after being granted visas for specialized medical care.

Sky News has been documenting the journeys of these children and visited Rahaf a few weeks into her stay with her mother.

At Shriners Hospital in St Louis, Missouri, Rahaf proudly demonstrated her walking abilities with a joyful smile.

“Seeing her walk again was an indescribable experience; I felt so much happiness and pride,” Rahaf’s mother, Israa, shared with Sky News.

Rahaf lost her right leg below the knee, and her left leg is nearly fully amputated.

Both limbs were surgically removed by doctors in Gaza after her family home was devastated in an Israeli missile strike in August, just as she was beginning to learn to walk.

“The doctors have commented on how clever she is, and they believe she will face future challenges with resilience,” Israa stated.

Children who have undergone amputations require additional care as they continue to grow.

As Rahaf grows, she will need new prosthetic limbs frequently, yet she seems quite comfortable with her initial set.

“She has begun to express, ‘I like to stand.’ Previously, she was reluctant to wear her prosthetics, but seeing herself walk filled her with confidence, and she no longer wanted assistance,” her mother noted.

Israa had to leave Gaza without Rahaf’s father and two younger brothers, who were unable to leave the area.

Throughout this journey, Israa has kept her family updated on Rahaf’s achievements.

“During every session, I call my husband and Rahaf’s brothers to watch her walk; they cheer her on as she practices,” she shared.

Rahaf was fortunate to be one of the few children allowed to leave Gaza, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).

The ceasefire, which began yesterday, is expected to enable many more children to access immediate medical care that is currently unavailable in Gaza due to damaged infrastructure.

Border crossings will open for a significant influx of aid, and it’s anticipated that more injured individuals from Gaza will now be granted permission to leave.

Further reading:
Netanyahu asserts Israel’s right to resume combat
Gaza ceasefire: Overview of the agreement

Aside from rare circumstances like Rahaf’s, no injured individuals have been permitted to exit Gaza since May, as Israel maintains control over the borders.

Prosthetic experts estimate that for every casualty in a conflict, there are likely three survivors who become amputees.

The Hamas-run authorities in Gaza report that the death toll from the ongoing war has exceeded 46,600.

Oxfam’s analysis indicates that more children in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces during this conflict compared to any other similar period over the last 18 years.

These statistics highlight the alarming number of amputees, both adults and children, still remaining in Gaza.