In Gaza, a long path to recovery for one woman who lost eye, and daughter

Najwa Abu Atiwi, a 42-year-old woman from Nuseirat, Gaza, suffered severe injuries and lost her six-year-old daughter, Hajar, in an Israeli air strike on October 11, 2024. After weeks in a coma, Najwa awoke to discover she had lost an eye and sustained extensive facial trauma, requiring numerous surgeries and ongoing treatment. She was initially unaware of her daughter's death, learning the devastating news a month later. Najwa faces significant challenges with basic functions like eating and speaking, and requires specialized treatment unavailable in Gaza due to Israeli restrictions. Dr. Ayman Saidam, an oculoplastic surgeon, describes her case as highly complex, highlighting the lack of resources in Gaza for such extensive reconstructive procedures. Dr. Hassan Abu Shawish, a psychologist, notes Najwa's case is particularly difficult due to the simultaneous trauma of physical injury, daughter's loss, and facial disfigurement, leading to psychological struggles. Najwa continues to await permission to travel for treatment, hoping to regain some semblance of her former life.