LEXINGTON, Ky. — The war in Gaza is raging on. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of whom are women and children, according to the United Nations.

One critically injured Palestinian child arrived Monday evening in Lexington to receive medical care at Shriners Children’s Hospital

What You Need To Know

  • Mustafa, a critically injured Palestinian child, landed Monday evening in Lexington to receive medical care 

  • He was injured last year from an airstrike carried out by Israel Defense Forces, resulting in him getting his leg amputated

  • Dozens gathered to welcome him at the Blue Grass Airport 

  • He will be getting a prosthetic device and going to rehab to learn how to walk with it

Songs and excited chatter filled the terminal of the Blue Grass Airport as dozens of people waited for 13-year-old Mustafa and his mother to arrive.

“We were all here with a smile on our face, honored and feeling just super lucky to host one of the heroes from Gaza here in Lexington and be able to bring someone here and support him through his care,” said Hannah Isa, who was at the airport to welcome Mustafa.

Mustafa was injured last October in Gaza when he was on his way to meet with friends to play soccer.

“His neighbor’s house was airstriked by the Israeli military and the rubble that fell from that house actually caught and fell on his leg,” said Tareq Hailat, director of global patient affairs with the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.

This resulted in doctors needing to amputate Mustafa’s leg.

Those who gathered at the Blue Grass Airport to greet Mustafa were excited about his arrival, with many getting emotional. (Spectrum News 1/Geraldine Torrellas)

Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world, according to the UN. Because of the collapse of Gaza’s health system since the war began, amputations are happening at a high rate since doctors are unable to perform complex surgeries. Many are also being performed without anesthesia.

“Several of the children, including Mustafa, have had to have their leg amputated without anesthesia,” Hailat said.

The war in Gaza began Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants entered southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people. Dozens of Israeli hostages are still being held in Gaza.

Thousands of Palestinians have been injured since the war began. Mustafa is part of the largest medical evacuation of children from Gaza to the United States by an NGO. Eight children were evacuated.

“For eight children to be the single largest convoy should just show you how complex of a system it is to be able to take these children out,” Hailat said.

Mustafa’s arrival was met with lots of cheers and people greeting him and giving him gifts.

“I’m happy he’s here, but I’m also sad for all the other kids that didn’t have the opportunity to leave and the fact that he left all his siblings behind to come here is… it’s hard, it’s hard,” said Suemia Elharezi, who is hosting Mustafa and his mother.

Mustafa will be evaluated at Shriners Children's Hospital to see if surgery is needed. He will then get a prosthetic device and go through rehab to learn how to walk with it.

Visit this website to help children like Mustafa.