03/23/2026
Abdulrahman is a teenager from eastern Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Shortly before the ceasefire was announced in October 2025, he was severely injured by shrapnel during an Israeli military attack on an aid site, where he was trying to acquire food for his family. A fragment of shrapnel struck and embedded itself in his heart.
When Abdulrahman arrived at Nasser Hospital, his heart stopped beating. He was resuscitated by a medical team that included Glia delegate and trauma surgeon Dr. Mihir. In a desperate effort to save his life, Dr. Mihir performed a thoracotomy—an emergency surgery that involved opening Abdulrahman’s chest.
The operation took place under extremely difficult conditions: a blockade on medical supplies, severe shortages of anesthetics and medications, and worn-out equipment. Despite the odds, Abdulrahman survived.
He remained in critical condition for weeks, receiving constant care in the ICU from the Nasser medical team, Dr. Mihir, and his family. Despite the language barrier, Abdulrahman and Dr. Mihir formed a friendship, communicating through smiles, gestures, and translation apps.
After nearly a month in the hospital, Abdulrahman was finally discharged. But his life will never be the same.
Before the war, Abdulrahman loved playing football with his friends. Today, even climbing a single flight of stairs strains his heart. Shrapnel still remains in his heart—too dangerous to remove under the limited conditions of Gaza’s hospitals.
Abdulrahman is one of thousands of people whose lives have been permanently changed by devastating injuries. Gaza’s healthcare system has been pushed to the brink, while Israel continues to block critical medical supplies, equipment, and rehabilitation resources.
For survivors like Abdulrahman, recovery is not just about surviving the injury—it is about living with its consequences in a place where the care they need is still being denied.
