![42-year-old Muawiya Al-Wahidi lost his leg in an Israeli missile strike on Gaza in May 2021 and has been left unable to work full time as a barber and provide for his family [ Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/3W0A3472.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Forty-two-year-old Muawiya Al-Wahidi was forced to stop working full time as a barber after an Israeli missile strike injured him, damaging his leg so badly it had to be amputated. Speaking to MEMO Muwaiya said he heard a missile strike a car in Al-Mughrabi Street in the centre of Gaza City in May 2021. Then saw his friends and neighbours injured calling for help. As he grabbed one of his friends to get to a nearby pharmacy, he slipped through his fingers and blood started spilling from his mouth. Then the second Israeli missile hit and this one was more direct. Muwaiya’s friend died in the attack and he was left severely injured. “My family were told to come and say their goodbyes to me because my situation was very bad,” he explains.
“I have been working as a barber for 25 years, but now I work part-time because one leg was amputated as a result of the injury.” Muawiya underwent several surgeries and treatment to strengthen his remaining leg but it is still too weak to support his weight unaided. Muawiya was unable to leave the besieged Gaza Strip for treatment.As a result of his injuries, Muawiya explains, he cannot stand for long periods and is not eligible to have a prosthesis put in place for the leg he has lost.
“I need to support my family and work in the barber shop. But the shop also needs a lot of modifications to match my special needs at the present time,” he adds, adding he is now only able to work a few hours a week and has no additional income to support his family.
OPINION: Disabled, underage or critically-ill in hospital, Israel soldiers’ abuse with no limits