Gaza City – Nebal al-Hessi, a 25-year-old mother, scrolls through news updates on her phone, hoping for news of the Rafah land crossing’s reopening. From her family’s tent in an-Nazla, Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, she awaits a chance for medical care unavailable within the territory.
Nebal’s hands were amputated in an artillery attack on October 7, 2024, while she sheltered with her husband and two-year-old daughter, Rita, in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. More than a year later, she is among thousands of wounded Palestinians pinning their hopes on access to treatment outside Gaza.
“It’s been a year and five months since I got injured … Every day, I think about tomorrow, that I might travel, but I don’t know,” Nebal tells Al Jazeera. She recalls the moment of the attack, attempting to connect with family when a shell struck, resulting in the loss of both her hands.
‘Life is Completely Paralysed’
Nebal sustained severe injuries, including the amputation of both arms up to the elbows, internal bleeding, and a leg injury, requiring two abdominal surgeries. After 40 days in the hospital, she found herself displaced, lacking basic long-term care. Now, she relies entirely on family for daily tasks.
“I can’t eat or drink on my own … even getting dressed, my mother, sister, and sister-in-law mainly help me,” she says. “Even going to the bathroom requires help. I need things in front of me because I cannot bring them myself.”
The impact on her motherhood is profound. “My little daughter wants me to change her, feed her, give her milk, hold her in my arms like other mothers… she asks me, and I can’t,” Nebal says with sorrow. “My life is completely paralysed.”
Doctors have told Nebal she needs to travel for advanced prosthetic limbs and ongoing treatment, requiring support from an institution to regain independence.
Palestinian authorities announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing on Sunday for wounded individuals and medical patients. However, the process remains uncertain, with scheduling dependent on medical lists and approvals, and no clear timetable established.
Nebal has received calls indicating she would be prioritized for travel, but has yet to receive confirmation. She fears her case may be overlooked, or that the reopening is symbolic. “I die a little every day because of my current situation … not figuratively. I’ve been like this for a year and four months, and my daughter is growing up in front of me while I am helpless,” she says.
Uncertain Future
Sixteen-year-old Nada Arhouma also awaits the opportunity to travel. Displaced from Jabalia refugee camp, Nada was struck by shrapnel in a displacement tent in Sheikh Radwan, Gaza City, resulting in the loss of one eye and severe facial injuries. Her condition has deteriorated despite treatment in Gaza.
“She entered the ICU at al-Shifa Hospital, then was transferred to Nasser Hospital,” her father, Abdul Rahman Arhouma, 49, explains. “They tried multiple times to graft her eye, but each operation failed, and the disfigurement worsened.”
Nada now requires constant assistance. “Even going to the bathroom, my sisters help me. I can’t walk alone,” she says. She urgently needs reconstructive surgery and a prosthetic eye, but access depends on the Rafah crossing.
“Since I’ve been in the hospital, I hear every week: next week the crossing will open. Honestly, I feel they are lying. I’m not optimistic,” Nada says. Her father expressed disappointment, noting reports seemed to prioritize Israeli interests over the needs of patients.
Raed Hamad, 52, also faces a desperate situation. He requires continued cancer treatment that has been disrupted by the war. Living in the remains of his destroyed home in Khan Younis, he describes the struggle to access medication as “devastating.” His weight has dropped from 92kg (203lb) to 65kg (143lb) due to the lack of treatment and malnutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries did Nebal al-Hessi sustain?
Nebal al-Hessi sustained severe injuries, including the complete amputation of both upper limbs up to the elbows, internal bleeding, and a leg injury, as a result of an artillery attack on October 7, 2024.
What is preventing wounded Palestinians from receiving adequate medical care?
Thousands of wounded Palestinians require specialized medical treatment unavailable inside the Gaza Strip. Access to this treatment is dependent on the reopening of the Rafah crossing and subsequent approvals for travel.
What challenges are families facing with the reopening of the Rafah crossing?
Families are facing uncertainty due to a lack of clarity regarding the mechanism for allowing patients to travel, the absence of a clear timetable, and the requirement for Israeli approval, leading to fears that the reopening may be limited or symbolic.
What will the future hold for those awaiting medical care outside of Gaza remains to be seen.
