12-year-old survivor of airstrike in Gaza arrives in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A special moment took place at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

A 12-year-old girl from Gaza named Habiba landed in the United States for the first time.

Through a translator, the girl shared her excitement.

“I’m very happy to be here and I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Habiba said.

Habiba — accompanied by her aunt Heyam — was flown out to Atlanta by HEAL Palestine. The nonprofit organization provides medical assistance to Palestinian children.

Habiba is the first child from Gaza to be brought to Atlanta through this initiative.

HEAL Palestine helped arrange their travel and funded a cranioplasty surgery for the refugee.

“I hope that I will recover well and that I will heal after,” Habiba said.

On January 3, 2024, an Israeli airstrike bombed Habiba’s family’s tent.

This attack killed her mother, three sisters, uncle and cousins.

Habiba, initially presumed dead, was miraculously found alive the next day. She was severely injured with burns, along with abdominal and cranial wounds.

Tamara Quadri is a volunteer with HEAL Palestine who was at the airport on Saturday.

“Her injury was grave and they’ve experienced a lot of trauma over there,” she said.

For Quadri and others who greeted the girl at the airport, Habiba’s mindset and attitude was inspiring.

“In many ways, she’ll heal us because of her strength and resilience,” she said. “It’s infectious.”

Heyam, Habiba’s aunt, expressed relief that they had finally arrived in Atlanta after a difficult year.

“It was a miracle and felt like a difficult dream that came true,” she said.

Habiba will have a medical assessment on Monday to determine a timeline for her surgery and recovery.

Once her treatment is complete, she and Heyam will decide whether to return to Egypt — where they’ve been living as refugees — or extend their stay in Atlanta.

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