Mon Sep 30 05:15:00 UTC 2024: ## Two Young Gazan Girls Find Hope in Italy After War Injuries
**Padua, Italy:** Two young girls, Zeina and Alaa, who suffered severe injuries during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, have been granted a lifeline in Italy, where they are receiving specialist medical treatment.
Zeina, two years old, was severely burned when boiling soup spilled on her during an airstrike. Alaa, 17, was trapped under rubble for 16 hours after an attack on her home, losing her father, brothers, and other family members. Both girls are receiving treatment for their injuries at a hospital in Padua, thanks to the efforts of charities Save a Child and Kinder Relief.
The girls’ evacuation is a rare glimmer of hope for the thousands of Palestinians injured during the conflict. The World Health Organization estimates that over 22,000 Gazans have suffered life-changing injuries, but only a small number have been allowed to leave the territory since the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was closed in May.
While their journey to Italy offers a chance for recovery, both girls face a long and difficult path ahead. Zeina’s burns are so severe that her hair will not grow back, and Alaa will never walk normally again. Their mothers, who are accompanying them, are both grappling with the emotional and physical toll of the conflict.
The story of Zeina and Alaa highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the desperate need for medical evacuations for injured civilians. The girls’ resilience and determination to heal serve as a reminder of the human cost of war, urging for increased international efforts to support those in need.
First Piper 