A Palestinian child who was severely wounded in an Israeli drone attack on Gaza last year, and who was pictured in an image that won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year award, says he has been struggling to adapt to life since losing both his arms in the explosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to Al Jazeera from Doha, Qatar, where he has been receiving treatment, nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour recalled the moment the bomb exploded, targeting his home in March 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, Ajjour, who hails from Gaza City\u2019s old town, said he did not realise he was wounded. \u201cI thought I had simply fallen. But I found myself on the ground, exhausted, and wondering what had happened,\u201d he told Al Jazeera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In reality, one arm \u201cflew off, and one flew and fell right beside me\u201d, he added. Still unaware that he had sustained serious wounds \u2013 wounds that mutilated his entire body \u2013 Ajjour said he looked around and saw his arms. Although they looked familiar, his brain still could not comprehend that they had been blown off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy mother then told me that I lost both my arms,\u201d Ajjour recalled. \u201cI started crying. I was very sad, and my mental state was very bad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His mental health deteriorated further when he, like many others in Gaza, had to undergo surgery without anaesthetics due to a severe lack of medical supplies. Throughout the war, Israeli forces have largely kept vital border crossings shut, preventing the entry of much-needed medical supplies, as well as food and other aid, including fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey performed surgery on me while I was awake,\u201d Ajjour said, the shock still evident in his voice. \u201cI couldn\u2019t bear the pain, I was screaming very loud. My voice filled the hallways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ajjour is one of thousands of children in Gaza who are suffering life-changing injuries due to relentless, indiscriminate Israeli bombardment. According to the United Nations Children\u2019s Fund, more than 10 children each day have lost one or both of their legs since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its ongoing genocide in Gaza. That is more than 1,000 children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGaza now has the highest number of children amputees per capita anywhere in the world \u2013 many losing limbs and undergoing surgeries without even anaesthesia,\u201d UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ajjour is now learning to write, play games on his phone, and dress himself using his feet \u2013 but still needs special assistance for most daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the attack, Ajjour said he used to go to the market and buy his mother vegetables and food she needed. \u201cNow, everything is difficult, including feeding myself, helping myself to the bathroom \u2026 but I try my best,\u201d he said. \u201cI manage my life like this. I make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ajjour dreams of a future where he can return to Gaza and help rebuild the devastated enclave. He hopes the world can \u201cend the war on Gaza\u201d. \u201cWe want to live on our land. We don\u2019t want the Israelis to take it,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople are dying there [in Gaza]. And my home was bombed. How could I live like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Israel\u2019s ongoing assault on the besieged and bombarded territory has so far killed more than 51,000 Palestinians and wounded at least 116,505 others, according to Gaza\u2019s Ministry of Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has also forcibly displaced most of its 2.3 million strong population, ravaged most of the land, damaged basic infrastructure and dismantled its already-struggling healthcare system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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