A 12-year-old girl from Gaza, who lost both legs in a bombing earlier this year, is now receiving life-changing support in Seattle from local volunteers, medical professionals, and a nonprofit organization working to restore her ability to walk.
Seba, along with her mother, sister Heba, and brother Ahmad, is currently staying with a host family in the Seattle area. The family arrived in the U.S. with help from HEAL Palestine, a nonprofit that facilitates medical treatment for children injured in the Gaza conflict. The organization says it is focused on helping Seba reclaim what the war took from her — including the ability to walk, go to school, and dance.
Back in January 2025, Seba had stepped out to a nearby store from the shelter where her family was staying when a bomb detonated nearby. The impact left her severely injured. According to the family’s social worker, Sondos Jaber, Seba initially suffered shrapnel wounds and burns. With the collapse of Gaza’s medical system, her injuries became infected, and eventually doctors were forced to amputate both of her legs due to the lack of timely treatment.
Jaber, who also helps translate for Seba and her mother, explained that many children in Gaza have suffered similar fates. “From burns and shrapnel to amputations, Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees in the world,” noted Naseem Tuffaha, Chairman of HEAL Palestine.
Despite her trauma, Seba’s spirit remains remarkably bright. She lights up when receiving balloons and gifts, including a Barbie doll with a prosthetic leg — a symbolic gesture that has become part of her motivation to walk again.
While she undergoes rehabilitation, efforts are underway to enroll Seba and her siblings in a local school. Jaber emphasized the importance of continuing their education, pointing out that despite their circumstances, these are still children eager to learn, grow, and play.
Seba dreams of dancing once more, and her excitement about attending school with her future prosthetic legs is palpable. She’s also expressed curiosity about exploring Seattle, with visiting a waterfall high on her wish list.
HEAL Palestine says Seba is one of about 60 children they’ve helped evacuate and treat outside Gaza in the past year. The organization, founded in January 2024 in response to the humanitarian crisis, describes itself as non-political and community-driven. According to Tuffaha, this past week marked the largest coordinated medical evacuation of Gaza’s wounded children, with 11 families arriving in cities across the U.S., including Seattle.
While this support has made a difference, Tuffaha acknowledged the vast scale of need. “We’re only scratching the surface — thousands more children still require care,” he said. The organization’s work continues, relying on partnerships and community donations to help more children like Seba heal, rebuild, and dream again.
