Palestinian doctor amputates injured niece's leg on kitchen table, without anesthesia

In a harrowing incident during an Israeli shelling in Gaza City, Dr. Hani Bseiso faced a difficult choice when his teenage niece, A’Hed Bseiso, was wounded. Unable to reach the hospital due to intense Israeli fire, he resorted to amputating her leg with a scissor on their kitchen table in the absence of anesthesia. The incident came to public view after a grainy footage of the operation was posted in social media. Despite the house being merely 1.1 miles from Al-Shifa hospital, the danger in the area prevented them from seeking professional medical help. Dr. Bseiso, in an interview, expressed the lack of alternatives, stating, ‘The choice was either let the girl die or try to the best of my abilities.’ While the Israeli military did not directly respond to questions about the incident, they accused Hamas of using hospitals as cover for terrorist activities. A’Hed Bseiso, now 18, is part of a rising number of young amputees in Gaza, a result of the ongoing conflict since Hamas attacked Israel in October. The Israeli military argues that their actions aim to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages, countering claims from Palestinian officials. The toll on civilians is evident, with over 24,000 Palestinians killed and more than 1,000 children in Gaza undergoing leg amputations by November. UNICEF highlights the challenges, citing poor hygiene, medicine shortages, and restricted access to hospitals. A’Hed Bseiso, recalling the incident, mentioned the makeshift nature of her amputation, emphasizing the pain endured.