Arriving in the United States was a moment of unexpected warmth for 12-year-old Waheed Al Ghalban. As he wheeled through the Detroit airport in April, accompanied by his mother Howaida, a welcoming crowd greeted him with flowers, posters, and Palestinian flags. This marked a new chapter in Waheed’s life after a bomb in Gaza cost him an eye, an arm, and a leg last year.
Waheed, along with three other child amputees, traveled to Michigan through the aid of the nonprofit HEAL Palestine to receive medical attention and prosthetics in the United States. A report from the World Health Organization noted that at least 3,100 people in Gaza have lost limbs since Israel’s military actions began after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. At that time, Gaza had no functioning prosthetic services.
According to a UN agency, Gaza had the highest number of child amputees per capita globally at the start of this year. Waheed, speaking through a translator, shared, “In the time that I spent between the injury and coming here, I didn’t expect to get back to normal.”
Howaida refrains from discussing the traumatic incident that led to Waheed’s injuries, though she explained he was rendered unconscious by a nearby bomb explosion while walking near their home in May. Waheed spent two weeks in a coma and faced depression upon learning about his condition.
Lifted Spirits
While the medical journey is ongoing, Waheed’s spirits have improved significantly with the fitting of a prosthetic leg, said Feroza Raffee, who, alongside her husband, has been hosting Waheed and Howaida in Flint. “He was walking and he was screaming out of joy,” Raffee recalled about Waheed’s first steps.
The Raffees decided to host Waheed despite not having a personal connection to Gaza or speaking Arabic. Their decision was affirmed when they witnessed Waheed’s joy and newfound mobility. “That to me was all worth it,” Raffee expressed, noting how Waheed’s independence in daily tasks like going to the bathroom and getting dressed has returned.
However, Howaida’s relief is tinged with concern for her six other children still in Gaza, given the blockade by Israel that lasted nearly three months, affecting humanitarian and medical aid delivery. Though aid has resumed, it remains insufficient. Criticism from human rights organizations highlights these shortcomings.
Israel has defended its aid program as necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting resources. The ongoing conflict has hindered organizations like HEAL Palestine from coordinating further medical evacuations since March.
Fortunate Few
A brief ceasefire earlier this year enabled HEAL Palestine to evacuate those needing urgent medical care. “We were fortunate to get these kids out during the ceasefire,” said co-founder Steve Sosebee. Yet, the renewed conflict has curtailed further evacuations.
Waheed is one of 45 children who have been brought to the U.S. by HEAL Palestine for prosthetic fittings over the past year. Despite the immense adversity, Howaida acknowledges her son’s fortune in receiving treatment, and she wishes for an end to the violence affecting so many children in Gaza.
In Michigan, Waheed’s time has been a reprieve from Gaza’s struggles. His resilience shines through as he dribbles a soccer ball, dreaming of a future where he can walk, study, and play soccer in peace. “I hope to be able to play soccer, go for walks, go to school, go to the mosque, just be normal,” Waheed said, adding his aspiration to become a soccer player.
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