A Childhood Changed by War

When Malak sees other girls her age running and playing, she wishes she could do the same.

Today, Malak is learning how to live again after losing her leg during an airstrike in Gaza — one of thousands of children whose lives have been permanently changed by the ongoing conflict.

Across Gaza, survivors are now facing the long and difficult process of recovery after suffering severe injuries that will require years of treatment and rehabilitation.

The Scale of the Crisis

The scale of these injuries is unprecedented. More than 171,000 people have been injured, with at least 42,000 living with severe, life-changing wounds. Over 6,000 people have undergone limb amputations, and around one quarter of those injured will require long-term rehabilitation in the years ahead.

Children have been among the hardest affected. More than 5,000 children have lost one or more limbs, and during the most intense periods of violence an average of ten children per day were losing limbs as a result of their injuries. Around 11% of amputees are toddlers under the age of five, highlighting the devastating toll the conflict is taking on Gaza’s youngest generation.

Supporting Survivors to Rebuild Their Lives

Together with a trusted local partner, we are working to support people who have lost limbs or suffered severe injuries, helping them access prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation and ongoing medical care.

Recovery from these injuries requires far more than surgery. Survivors often need months or years of physiotherapy, specialised rehabilitation and ongoing support to regain mobility and independence. For many people living in Gaza today, these services are essential to rebuilding daily life.

Malak’s Story

Malak is one of the children now beginning that journey. Before the conflict intensified, Malak lived with her family in Gaza. When the fighting escalated, they were forced to flee their home and search for safety. Like many displaced families, they eventually found shelter in a school building, hoping it would provide protection from the violence.

But the building was struck during an airstrike. Malak lost both of her parents and three of her siblings that day. She survived the attack, but with devastating injuries. After being pulled from the rubble, doctors were forced to amputate her leg in order to save her life. She also underwent multiple surgeries to treat her injuries and remove shrapnel embedded throughout her body.

Today Malak is being cared for by a relative who has taken responsibility for her after the loss of her immediate family. Those caring for her are doing everything they can to support her recovery despite the immense challenges of daily life in Gaza.

When Malak sees other children her age running and playing, she wishes she could do the same. More than anything, she hopes for a prosthetic leg that will allow her to walk again and regain some of the independence she once had.

Why Rehabilitation Matters

Access to specialised rehabilitation remains extremely limited in Gaza, where hospitals and medical infrastructure have been heavily strained by the conflict.

Prosthetic limbs, physiotherapy and long-term medical support are essential for survivors to rebuild their lives, particularly for children whose bodies are still growing and will require ongoing care.

For children like Malak, rehabilitation is not only about mobility. It is about restoring confidence, dignity and the chance to participate in childhood again.

Standing With Gaza’s Survivors

Across Gaza, thousands of survivors are now beginning the long journey of recovery. With your support, we can continue helping people access the prosthetics, rehabilitation and care they need to rebuild their lives.

Together, we can help children like Malak take the next steps toward a future beyond the injuries they have endured.

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