Palestinian Woman Paralyzed in Gaza Assault by Israel: Najwa

Najwa Abu Aisha, a 48-year-old woman from Gaza City, is currently hospitalized and paralyzed after being thrown from the rooftop of her home during an Israeli bombing on May 11. She had been checking the water tank with her 14-year-old son when the bomb hit, causing her to fall from the second floor. Her son witnessed the bombing and is still traumatized. Najwa’s family surrounds her at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, whispering so as not to cause her distress. She has severe injuries to her spinal cord, pelvis, and rib cage. Before the bombing, she worked as a cleaner in a kindergarten and was the sole breadwinner for her family of five children. Her husband is disabled and relies on a cane to move around. Najwa hopes to receive medical treatment abroad to rehabilitate her body and walk again, but Israel severely limits the freedom of movement of all Palestinians.