Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
In a hospital bed in Jordan, far from where four of his seven family members were killed, Abdulrahman, five, sits hunched over a mobile phone watching a film about dinosaurs.
The family in the film is fleeing a dinosaur that seems bent on harming them. It might seem like too much violence for someone of Abdulrahman's age, but having watched his mother, younger brother Omar and two other siblings die in front of him in an Israeli air strike in Gaza, he has already seen far worse.
His legs bandaged and scarred, Abdulrahman is being treated at the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital for reconstructive surgery in Amman.
His aunt Sabah Al Madhoun sits near his bed, wondering how to heal his soul. "He says he wants to go back to Gaza, so he can see his mum among the stars. He says he can't see her in Amman's sky."
Abdulrahman's story is not unique – at least 48,300 Palestinians have been killed and more than 111,700 injured during Israel's 15-month military offensive in Gaza since October 7, 2023. But he is among the more fortunate ones as fewer than 10 per cent of 12,000 people in need of treatment abroad have been able to leave Gaza.
He is the youngest of three children from Gaza who arrived at the hospital on January 8, along with their guardians.
The Reconstructive Surgery Hospital receives patients from Iraq, Yemen, Palestine and Syria, giving them care that they would not otherwise have access to because of war or social disadvantage.
The hospital director, surgeons and other specialists meet each week to consider case files of candidates for admission, submitted by liaison officers across the region. Last year, the hospital received an average of 35 patients a month.
Cases from Gaza in particular have proven more difficult, the hospital's Dr Saleh Al Khatib said.
"They require more intervention, surgical or otherwise – like neurosurgery or plastic surgery," Dr Al Khatib told The National. "So one case could have three different specialities working together on a patient, not to mention the rehabilitation and physiotherapy is longer and requires more effort."
For Abdulrahman, the hope is that he learns to walk again and perhaps even comes to terms with his loss, with the help of mental health experts who specialise in cases of severe trauma.
He was first treated in Gaza after the air strike in October 2023 that killed his family. He suffered several fractures to his right thigh and left leg, and loss of tissue. But the volatile environment in the war zone makes patients more vulnerable to complex infections, Dr Al Khatib said.
"Abdulrahman was operated on urgently in Gaza with an external fixation device to facilitate the healing of his bones but it had to be removed because he developed an infection in his bones."
More than a month into a ceasefire, Gaza's hospitals have yet to recover from the damage inflicted by Israeli raids and bombardment. Doctors have had to perform amputations without anaesthesia or operate under flashlights in the absence of electricity.
'I felt like Cinderella'
Iraqi masters student Mariam Al Athra'a was treated at the MSF hospital a year after suffering third-degree burns to her face, neck and hands when a diesel-powered heater exploded at her home in Baghdad in 2023.
She had spent months in a darkened room at a hospital in Iraq with only her mother by her side, brooding over her disfigured face and her future, when a team of French doctors from MSF visited and asked if she would be a case study for training their Iraqi counterparts at the hospital.
Mariam agreed, thinking she would only receive better bandages or medication for her wounds. Shortly afterwards, the MSF team asked her if she could travel to the hospital in Amman.
"I waited by the door with my bags in the pouring rain like a little girl. I was drenched by the time I got into the car that took me to Jordan," she recalled. "I did not believe it was real until I arrived."
After a series of skin graft, tendon release and reconstructive surgery, the only visible signs of her injuries are a chin guard that she wears under her hijab and the bandages wrapped around her hands.
"You should have seen me before. I feel like the doctors performed magic on me. My skin is all the same colour, the scars are barely visible. I feel like Cinderella," she said, sitting in the hospital's activities room where she spends most of her time, while continuing with her treatment plan.
Besides her treatment, Mariam is also grateful for the support she received from doctors, nurses and workers at the hospital. "They encouraged me to continue my master's degree every time I felt like giving up," she said.
Mariam graduated with distinction in international relations and foreign policy last year, and is now pursuing her doctorate. She dreams of one day opening a treatment centre similar to the one that gave her a new lease of life.
Abu Dhabi GP starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7 Romain Grosjean (Haas)
8 Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
9 Esteban Ocon (Force India)
10 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
11 Carlos Sainz (Renault)
12 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
13 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
14 Sergio Perez (Force India)
15 Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
16 Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
17 Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
18 Stoffe Vandoorne (McLaren)
19 Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
20 Lance Stroll (Williams)
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
Results
Women finals: 48kg - Urantsetseg Munkhbat (MGL) bt Distria Krasniqi (KOS); 52kg - Odette Guiffrida (ITA) bt Majlinda Kelmendi (KOS); 57kg - Nora Gjakova (KOS) bt Anastasiia Konkina (Rus)
Men’s finals: 60kg - Amiran Papinashvili (GEO) bt Francisco Garrigos (ESP); 66kg - Vazha Margvelashvili (Geo) bt Yerlan Serikzhanov (KAZ)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final
Table:
1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10
2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8
3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6
4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4
5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
