20/01/2024
20/01/2024
GAZA, Jan 20: In a harrowing incident during Israeli shelling in Gaza City, Palestinian doctor Hani Bseiso faced a life-or-death decision for his teenage niece. Unable to reach a nearby hospital due to intense Israeli fire, Bseiso resorted to performing a leg amputation on his niece, A'Hed Bseiso, on the kitchen table using basic tools from his medical bag.
Despite the house being only 1.1 miles from Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital, the severity of the situation and the presence of tanks prevented any attempt to transport A'Hed to the hospital. A viral video on Instagram captures the makeshift operation, with Bseiso using scissors and gauze while family members assist in holding up mobile phones for lighting.
The Israeli military did not respond specifically to questions about the incident but alleged that Hamas used hospital complexes as cover for its activities. A'Hed Bseiso is one of the emerging young amputees from the ongoing conflict, which began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in numerous casualties.
A'hed Bseiso shared her ordeal, revealing that an Israeli tank was near her house when she was wounded. The lack of medical equipment led to her uncle using household items for the amputation, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by civilians.
The Israeli military's assertion of Hamas using hospitals for terror activities is met with denial by the militant group. The ongoing conflict has claimed over 24,000 Palestinian lives, with many suffering severe injuries, including children undergoing leg amputations. The situation is exacerbated by poor hygiene, shortages of medicine, and restricted access to supplies due to the conflict.