Shrapnel and blindness rob Gaza youngster of big dreams

Palestinian teenager Maisa Al Ghandour had big dreams of becoming a doctor or teacher until she was blinded almost two weeks ago in an Israeli strike in war-ravaged Gaza.

"Now, I wish to die. We are not living a life in Gaza anymore; we are just hoping to die, our lives have become death," said Maisa, aged 14.

Maisa was wounded in an Israeli artillery strike at Eilabun High School in Al Karara town, east of Gaza's Khan Younis city, on July 26, the family said.

"There are shrapnel fragments in our chests, abdomens, and faces," Maisa said, referring to wounds also suffered by sister Yara, 9, and brother Mohammed, 11.

"I hope we can go outside (of Gaza) to receive treatment because there are no medicines here."

The family had taken shelter in the school after being displaced several times during Israel's 10-month-old offensive, which has killed about 39,600 Palestinians and wounded 91,535, according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel's campaign was triggered by an October 7 cross-border raid led by Palestinian militant group Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis and foreigners were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

The day of the attack in Al Karara started with some semblance of normality, the family said.

"We were good and beautiful, we started to play with our friends, we went there and stayed at the school. They (Israeli) have thrown two missiles on us, and we became like this," said Yara, who lost the sight in one eye in the attack.

Memories of better times

Israel says it goes to great lengths to avoid hitting civilians. It says Hamas uses Gaza's civilians as human shields by operating within densely populated areas, humanitarian zones, schools and hospitals, which Hamas denies.

Awad urged "everyone with a sense of responsibility" to aid Gaza hospitals so they can provide a minimum level of treatment.