Palestinian children who lost limbs in the Israel-Hamas war learn to swim in Gaza, in photos

Rimas Abu Shalouf, 16, who lost both legs after being injured during the war between Israel and Hamas, receives swimming training from the Heal Palestine organization at a pool in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Amputee swimming trainees jump into a pool during a training session for Palestinian children who lost their legs after being injured during the war between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Prosthetic limbs belonging to Palestinian children who lost their legs after being injured in the war between Israel and Hamas are placed beside the pool as the children receive swimming training from the Heal Palestine organization in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Palestinian girl Miral al-Babli, who lost a leg after being injured during the war between Israel and Hamas, receives swimming training from the Heal Palestine organization at a pool in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Coach Nour Qashqash warms up with children who lost their legs after being injured in the war between Israel and Hamas during a swimming training session organized by the Heal Palestine organization at a pool in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Palestinian girl Sama Abu Khuswan, 12, who lost a leg after being injured in the war between Israel and Hamas, participates in a swimming training session organized by the Heal Palestine organization at a pool in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Coach Nour Qashqash warms up with children who lost limbs after being injured during the war between Israel and Hamas, during a swimming training session organized by the Heal Palestine organization at a pool in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

Palestinian children who lost their legs after being injured during the war between Israel and Hamas receive swimming training from the Heal Palestine organization at a pool in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana - AP▲

By ABDEL KAREEM HANA - Associated Press

Updated Aug 20, 2026

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian children who have lost limbs during the Israel-Hamas war since Oct. 7, 2023, are taking swimming lessons in Khan Younis, Gaza, through classes organized by the nonprofit Heal Palestine.

View on IdahoStateJournal.com

Tags