Woman from viral video shares harrowing escape from Gaza after choosing between her leg and her life
Witnessing a horrific scene from Gaza, a video of an amputation on a dining table gained viral attention. Without anaesthetic or bandages, the procedure was conducted using only a bucket, soap, and a kitchen knife on 19 December 2023, amid the intense Israeli bombardment of northern Gaza.
Seventeen-year-old Ahed Bseiso, inside her family home in Gaza City, endured the traumatic experience as her uncle, Dr. Hani, performed the emergency operation to save her life. Despite Ahed’s pleas, her leg had to be amputated due to severe wounds.
Her journey out of Gaza, which began with the video upload showing the brutal reality of life in Gaza, eventually led her to Egypt and then America.
Ahed (left) had no anaesthetic as her uncle (right) amputated her leg
Strangers from around the world, like Wafa Abed in America, were deeply moved by Ahed’s story and worked tirelessly to bring her overseas for treatment. Tareq Hailat, a medical student, played a crucial role in orchestrating Ahed’s journey to the US with the help of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).
Despite numerous obstacles, including denied permissions and attacks on their convoy, Ahed finally made it to America, where she received medical care and a new prosthetic leg.
Tareq Hailat, Head of the Treatment Abroad Program, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
Dr. Omar Mubarak, a vascular surgeon, facilitated Ahed’s healing process by providing her with a new prosthetic leg in Denver. Despite the conflicting emotions of gratitude and internal strife, Ahed remains resolute in her desire to return to Gaza and reunite with her family.
