Gaza teen amputee bears scars of Israeli genocide as besieged enclave leads world in child amputations

Sixteen-year-old Palestinian Hasan Farhan al-Awwad, from Bureij Refugee Camp in central Gaza, lost both legs after being targeted by Israeli forces while collecting firewood to help his family. His story, told on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlights the… pic.twitter.com/nBIaHoaIF0

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) December 3, 2025

Sixteen-year-old Palestinian Hasan Farhan al-Awwad, from Bureij Refugee Camp in central Gaza, lost both legs after being targeted by Israeli forces while collecting firewood to help his family. His story, told on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlights the devastating impact of Israel’s genocide and ongoing blockade on children, Anadolu reports.

Amid continued assaults and severe shortages of fuel and resources due to the blockade, Hasan went out with friends to gather wood for cooking when a sudden Israeli strike hit. He was found severely injured near the blast site, spent several days in intensive care, and remained hospitalized for nearly three months.

Recalling the attack, Hasan said: “My friends and I were collecting wood when suddenly we came under fire. Two bombs exploded one after the other. When I opened my eyes, my legs were gone. I was in a coma for three days. I’m 16 now, but I’ve lost almost my entire childhood.”

He added: “I’m still a child. I went out to gather a few pieces of wood, and it cost my friends and my legs. Who deserves this pain? I just want the world to hear me and for me to continue life with prosthetic legs.”

Despite the trauma, Hasan remains determined to rebuild his life. “I love life. I want to return to school, continue my studies, and build a future,” he said.

In September, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said that Gaza has become home to the highest number of child amputees per capita worldwide since the start of the Israeli war.

The Health Ministry said Wednesday that a total of 6,000 people who have lost limbs in the besieged enclave due to Israel’s brutal attacks urgently need long-term rehabilitation, warning of severe and lasting humanitarian consequences for thousands of families.

In a statement marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the ministry said the situation of amputees in Gaza is “shocking,” with 25% of all amputation cases involving children who now face permanent disabilities at an early age.

Thousands of wounded civilians and their families are experiencing “deep humanitarian suffering,” underscoring the urgent need for sustained physical rehabilitation as well as psychological and social support services, the ministry added.

It called on relevant international organizations to prioritize amputees in Gaza and strengthen access to specialized care and rehabilitation programs.

Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed more than 70,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,000 others in its genocide that also left the enclave in ruins. The onslaught came to a halt under a ceasefire deal that took effect on Oct. 10.