GAZA GIRL'S MIRACLE LEG

Orphan Malak, nine, walks again

- BY SIMON MURPHY

SHE lost her family and was badly injured in an Israeli attack on Gaza but somehow this little girl still manages to smile.

Malak Sameeh Khader's parents and three brothers were killed when the school they were sheltering in was hit amid an airstrike. Malak, nine, who now lives in a tent, had to have an above-the-knee amputation.

And last month she had a prosthetic fitted, an incredible achievement by medics in a war zone.

With the conflict's second anniversary approaching, the number of amputees needing prosthetic services in the enclave has soared to 6,000, according to ministry of health estimates published in June.

Malak is among patients helped by disability charity Humanity & Inclusion. She visited the group's centre at the end of July and started physiotherapy sessions to strengthen her muscles, prosthetic and orthotic officer Heba explains.

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Heba, a specialist who builds and fits prostheses, adds: "She was very committed and motivated, despite what happened to her.

"I am very grateful to the whole team because everyone tried and is still trying to make Malak happy in every way available to us.