Incident Overview
A six-year-old girl in Gaza City suffered severe injury when a military strike hit the shelter used by displaced families. The building, once a school, had become a refuge for locals. Local health officials report that at least 27 individuals lost their lives in the attack, with victims including women and youngsters. Ghada Dabebech, the young girl, was on a swing at the shelter when the strike occurred. In the ensuing chaos, her badly harmed arm required removal.
Medical Response and Family Perspectives
Ghada recalled that her playtime turned into a nightmare when the blast shook the shelter. Displaced families had gathered at the Dar Al-Arqam institution in the Tuffah neighborhood seeking temporary safety. A Palestinian paramedic, Ghaidaa Arafat, explained that doctors used every available method to attempt to save her arm. However, a severe shortage of supplies, trained staff, and proper equipment in Gaza prevented a more successful effort. Her father, Ahmed Dabebech, now hopes for the reopening of border crossings so that she can receive further treatment and obtain a prosthetic limb abroad.
Military Claims and Broader Impact
After a two-month pause, military forces resumed operations on March 18 with a series of intense air strikes and reintroduced a ground presence. During the earlier break, 38 hostages were released in exchange for numerous Palestinian detainees. Military sources claim that the shelter functioned as a command center for Hamas, alleging that militants deliberately used civilian areas, a claim that Hamas denies outright. Recent reports indicate that more than 280,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in the past fortnight, adding to the challenges faced by many families who have been uprooted repeatedly over the last 18 months.
Ongoing Struggle
The unfolding events continue to affect countless families living in conflict areas. Local aid providers and medical professionals are working amid constrained resources as communities face repeated displacement. Residents express hope for access to international care and for rebuilding safe spaces for everyday life amid this relentless conflict.
