Mother and son evacuated from Gaza arrive in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The United Nations estimates nearly two million people in Gaza are without a home since the start of the Israel-Hamas War last October.

That includes a 13-year-old boy and his mother.

WKYT reports the teen’s leg had to be amputated after his neighbor’s house was bombed.

The two were evacuated to Lexington, Kentucky on Monday, where the teen will receive treatment at Shriner’s Hospital.

Local group “Lex for Palestine” organized a crowd to greet the boy and his mother at Bluegrass Airport.

The family’s host mother says it warmed her heart to see the outpour of support.

Host mother Suvmia Elharezi  says, “It’s nice to see all the support and there’s so many more people that just couldn’t make it today. And I know that if I need any help or if I need anything, literally just a phone call, a text, and I will have hundreds of people at my doorstep.”

Mustafa’s evacuation was led by the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

Last October, WKYT reports the boy was walking to meet friends when his neighbor’s house was bombed and collapsed on top of him, causing his leg to be stuck between large pieces of metal.

The only way to move forward was through amputation.

Medical leaders at Shriner’s will now help him heal here in Kentucky, but hearts are still breaking for those Mustafa was forced to leave behind.

Elharezi says, “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.”

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund has brought at least seven other children to the U.S. for treatment so far this month.