Gaza teen who lost both legs in Israeli strike arrives in California for treatment

A crowd of over 200 people gathered Wednesday at San Francisco Airport to welcome a Palestinian teen who lost both his legs and half of his left hand in an Israeli strike in Gaza. The 15-year-old, known only by his first name, Ahmed, will receive prosthetic and rehabilitative treatment in the US after being wounded by a bombing in Khan Younis on 16 February.

The crowd brought gifts, banners and flowers. Dozens of children also showed their support.

Bay Area emergency room doctor Mohammad Subeh, who treated Ahmed as part of his second medical mission in Gaza, was among the people receiving the teen.

Dr Subeh called Ahmed’s survival a “miracle”, given the low probability of surviving a double amputation, especially in conflict zone conditions.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently said that all healthcare facilities in southern Gaza are at “breaking point”.

Read more: Gaza teen who lost both legs in Israeli strike arrives in California for treatment