Thousands of wounded Palestinians remain stranded in the besieged Gaza Strip as Israel's "pilot reopening" of the Rafah crossing has yet to bring much-needed medical treatment. Nebal al-Hessi, a 25-year-old mother who lost both her hands in an Israeli artillery attack last October, is among them.
Her case, like many others, hinges on the uncertain fate of the crossing, which will allow for batches of patients and wounded individuals to travel. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that Gaza's healthcare system is "on the brink of collapse" due to a lack of resources, and that delays in medical treatment are threatening lives.
Nebal's hands were amputated during an attack on her home in central Gaza. Despite undergoing extensive surgery and two abdominal operations, she was left with limited mobility and requires assistance with even basic tasks like eating and dressing herself.
Her daughter, Rita, is now just 20 months old, but Nebal can't even hold her or care for her due to the extent of her injuries. "My life is completely paralysed," she says, echoing the sentiment of many others whose cases remain unresolved.
Others include Nada Arhouma, a 16-year-old girl who was hit in the face by shrapnel while inside a displacement tent and now faces a long wait for reconstructive surgery and a prosthetic eye. The World Health Organization has repeatedly highlighted the dire need for medical treatment outside Gaza's besieged borders.
In a rare respite from months of uncertainty, Israel announced plans to reopen the Rafah crossing on Sunday in what is being described as a "pilot" operation. However, many families remain skeptical about the chances of actual patients getting through and are living with constant anxiety.
As Gaza's healthcare system teeters on the edge of collapse, medical organizations and aid groups are calling for an end to Israel's restrictions on Palestinian movement and access to medical treatment. The future remains uncertain for thousands of Palestinians trapped in Gaza, desperate for medical care that could save their lives.
Her case, like many others, hinges on the uncertain fate of the crossing, which will allow for batches of patients and wounded individuals to travel. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that Gaza's healthcare system is "on the brink of collapse" due to a lack of resources, and that delays in medical treatment are threatening lives.
Nebal's hands were amputated during an attack on her home in central Gaza. Despite undergoing extensive surgery and two abdominal operations, she was left with limited mobility and requires assistance with even basic tasks like eating and dressing herself.
Her daughter, Rita, is now just 20 months old, but Nebal can't even hold her or care for her due to the extent of her injuries. "My life is completely paralysed," she says, echoing the sentiment of many others whose cases remain unresolved.
Others include Nada Arhouma, a 16-year-old girl who was hit in the face by shrapnel while inside a displacement tent and now faces a long wait for reconstructive surgery and a prosthetic eye. The World Health Organization has repeatedly highlighted the dire need for medical treatment outside Gaza's besieged borders.
In a rare respite from months of uncertainty, Israel announced plans to reopen the Rafah crossing on Sunday in what is being described as a "pilot" operation. However, many families remain skeptical about the chances of actual patients getting through and are living with constant anxiety.
As Gaza's healthcare system teeters on the edge of collapse, medical organizations and aid groups are calling for an end to Israel's restrictions on Palestinian movement and access to medical treatment. The future remains uncertain for thousands of Palestinians trapped in Gaza, desperate for medical care that could save their lives.
I mean, can you imagine being a 25-year-old mum with no hands? It's like, how are you supposed to even take care of yourself let alone your kid? 
And the fact that the World Health Organization is saying their healthcare system is on the brink of collapse... it's just, wow. The thought of so many people stuck in Gaza without access to basic medical treatment is just devastating.
Like, what are they really hoping to achieve with this "pilot" operation? Is it just a publicity stunt or is there actually something concrete being done to help these people?
it's just cruel. gaza's healthcare system is literally on the brink of collapse 
. I mean, come on, can't we all just get along? Or at least, like, send in some meds? 
she's just 25 but her life is literally crippled 
by an Israeli attack. A pilot reopening of the Rafah crossing is a tiny drop in a huge ocean 
and won't fix anything until Israel lifts all its restrictions 
. Thousands are stuck with no medical treatment 
, including 16-yr-old Nada who just wants to see a doctor 
but can't get in 
...
Like, come on Israel, you can do better than this. These people are dyin' over here and it's all because of your restrictions. We should be helpin' these kids, not hinderin' their access to medical care. My heart just goes out to 'em... I wish we could just wave a magic wand and make everything okay again 
