mezan/ 12 March 2024

Amal R. O. Barbakh, a 21-year-old resident of the Al-Hollandi neighborhood in Khan Younis City, shared her firsthand account of the Israeli attack that killed her husband and 16 others on 3 December 2023:

“Since 7 October 2023, we've been in a state of apprehension amidst the relentless bombings and a severe lack of services. Following a humanitarian pause [which lasted from 24 November to 1 December 2023], the Israeli military intensified its attacks on Khan Younis City. Leaflets were dropped instructing residents to evacuate the area towards the Al-Mawasi area and Rafah. We felt terrorized by the continuous bombing and the absence of anywhere safe to go to. Despite the difficult circumstances, we decided to remain in our house. The scarcity of food added to our challenges, with availability one day and shortages the next.

At approximately 6:30 am on Sunday, 3 December 2023, my husband and I headed to a spot in Khan Younis to receive humanitarian assistance, including clothing for our family. On our way home, once we had reached the gate of Al-Amal Elementary School in the Al-Amal neighborhood—a shelter filled with displaced people—I heard the sound of an explosion and fell to the ground.

My hands were bleeding and covered with blood. The pain was severe. Looking around, I saw  my husband lying next to me amidst a chaotic scene with  a large number of people sprawling on the ground. I heard someone screaming and saying that this was just a warning missile. In the midst of the turmoil, I began uttering Shahada—"the Declarations of Faith". I tried to stand up, but couldn't because my leg was badly wounded. Then two people carried me to a civilian car nearby and took me to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

The reception area was full of many  injured people. There were few free beds. I was placed on the floor and the doctors conducted a quick examination. The medical staff were triaging an overwhelming number of injured people prioritizing the severely injured. After approximately 30 minutes, I was taken for x-rays on a trolley by the medical staff. Doctors prevented me from looking at my injured feet. I lost consciousness many times during my treatment. Doctors asked me my name and my family's contact details. Then they contacted my family. My mother and father came to the hospital. Just as I was about to pass out, I could just about hear fragments of the conversation between doctors and my family explaining the severity of my injuries. I then learned that my father had contacted his cousin, Dr. Hani Barbakh, who promptly came to the hospital to check on me.

I underwent a prolonged operation. I learned of the details about my condition from my family the following day. The surgeons have implanted a platinum plate in one foot to treat a broken ankle. Regrettably, the situation with my second leg was more severe, resulting in amputation at the ankle. Additionally, there were several wounds on my legs and my left hand was fractured.

Two days post-injury, I learned  the heart-breaking truth that I was the only survivor of the tragic attack. My husband, Mohammad Jawad Mahmoud Abu Shaloula, along with 16 others, had been killed in the incident.

On Sunday morning, 24 December 2023, I was transported by ambulance from Rafah Crossing to the Egyptian side, accompanied by my mother. Upon arrival, a team of Egyptian doctors assessed my injury. Subsequently, I was transferred by Egyptian ambulance to Sheikh Zuweid Hospital. As soon as I arrived, they did X-rays, carried out a thorough examination and took me to the operating room.

After the procedure, I found out that doctors had initially intended to amputate my leg, but opted instead to postpone this, in the hope that ongoing treatment would be successful. Meanwhile, I discovered that my children have sought refuge in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah with relatives of my late husband. I have maintained occasional phone contact with them. Throughout my stay at Sheikh Zuweid Hospital, the medical staff, both doctors and nurses, provided exceptional care, constantly attending to my needs.”

 Testimony documented by Al Mezan's field researcher on 14 February 2024, at Sheikh Zuweid Hospital (Northern Sinai, Egypt).