A paracycling team based in Gaza is stepping up to help those in need by distributing food parcels to displaced people in Rafah as the conflict between Hamas and Israel rages on.
Long before the current conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas, a paracycling team based in Gaza dreamed of competing at the Paralympic Games in Paris this summer. Made up of amputees who never let their disabilities stand in the way of achievement, the team took on an entirely new challenge after October 7 of last year. Their days are now filled in service to their community.
On the side of the road in the Tal Al-Sultan area, west of Rafah, a group of amputees set up a simple tent where the young men gather and work on packing food parcels to be distributed to displaced people in the camps. The group named themselves the Sunbirds.
Hazem Suleiman lost his left leg in an Israeli bombing on his neighborhood in Gaza City a few months ago. One of his long-time hobbies was riding bicycles. So instead of giving up, Suleiman decided to volunteer with the Sunbirds, and began using his bicycle to help distribute food parcels.
"We started this team from scratch. Despite the pain we are experiencing, with our positive energy, we were able to practice our hobby of cycling. We look forward to continuing this so that we can participate in international races and championships," Suleiman said.
They gather every day and prepare whatever goods they manage to buy to distribute.
Abdul Hakim Awad said they feel a sense of social responsibility to help the people of Rafah, and they will continue this initiative despite its challenges.
"In light of these circumstances and challenges facing our people, it is our duty as a sports team to help our Palestinian society. We distribute food parcels to those in need, in addition to continuing our practice of cycling in parallel with the volunteer work that we do," said Awad.
Conditions for all Palestinians in Gaza have deteriorated and emergency medical care in Gaza has been stretched and exhausted by the conflict. Many amputees are still fighting for their own lives and struggling to get treatment in the few hospitals that are still functioning.
"Our house was bombed at the beginning of the war, and we were displaced. I went to the Kuwaiti square area to get aid. Unfortunately, I returned wounded by nine bullets from Israeli snipers, which caused the amputation of one foot and injury to the other foot, in addition to a gunshot wound in my hand," said Rahim Ayoubi, one of the amputees.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society estimated at the end of last year that about 12,000 people, including 5,000 children, had lost one or more limbs due to the war.
Gaza's paracycling team helps distribute food to displaced people in Rafah
