Gaza Girl Survives After Being Mistakenly Declared Dead
In a shocking tale of survival, a 16-year-old Palestinian girl from Gaza was mistakenly pronounced dead and left in a morgue for hours before being discovered alive. The incident followed an Israeli airstrike that destroyed her neighborhood, leaving mass casualties.
A Miraculous Discovery in the Morgue
Sama Al-Madhoun was pulled from the rubble of her home in northern Gaza after an Israeli bombardment. Rescue workers, overwhelmed by destruction, believed she had died. Covered in dust, she was taken to a morgue—until an attendant noticed her faint movements.
“I thought I was dreaming when I felt someone touching me,” Sama told NextMinuteNews from her Rafah hospital bed. “I couldn’t speak, but I heard screams when they realized I was alive.”
Gaza’s Collapsing Healthcare System
Sama’s case exposes the chaos in Gaza’s hospitals, where shortages and constant bombings force impossible triage decisions.
“Normally, this wouldn’t happen,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Kahlout, her physician. “But with hundreds of daily casualties, mistakes occur.”
From Grief to Relief: A Family’s Emotional Whiplash
Sama’s family had already mourned her. Her father, Ibrahim, identified her body before leaving to bury relatives.
“When they called saying she was alive, I refused to believe it,” he said. “Seeing her again—I collapsed. It’s a miracle.”
Now homeless, they live in a tent near Egypt’s border.
Global Outrage and Ceasefire Demands
The incident has intensified criticism of Israel’s offensive, which has killed over 38,000 Gazans (per local health officials). The UN calls Gaza “hell on earth,” with famine and hospital failures worsening.
“How many children must die—or be buried alive—before the world acts?” Dr. Al-Kahlout demanded.
A Symbol of Gaza’s Suffering and Hope
Sama’s survival inspires others searching rubble for loved ones.
“I don’t know why I lived,” she whispered. “But I want the world to hear us.”
Her story underscores war’s human toll—and the desperate need for peace.
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews; Gaza contributions.
