23.10.2026 17:32
In the missile strike in which Israel hit his home in Gaza in 2023, 5-year-old Momin Sameh Alhamss remained under the rubble for 6 hours and lost both legs. After completing his treatment in Türkiye, he started school in Ankara Keçiören. Due to trauma, Momin remembers only his twin sibling from his family, and he thinks his maternal grandmother Hanan Abdelal, who takes care of him, is his mother.
Five-year-old Momin Sameh Alhamss, who was trapped under the rubble after a missile hit his home during Israel's attacks on Palestine and lost both legs, clung to life again in Türkiye.
During Israel's attack on Gaza in 2023, a missile hit the house where Alhamss, then 2 years old, lived with his family.
While Alhamss remained under the rubble of the destroyed house, his uncles lost their lives. His father lost a foot, and his paternal grandmother lost a hand.
Alhamss's mother and twin brother were not at home during the attack, so they were not affected by it. Alhamss was rescued from the rubble after about 6 hours of work and taken to hospital.
Due to forgetfulness after the trauma he experienced, the Palestinian child remembered only his twin from his family during this period. After treatment in different hospitals, Alhamss first went to Egypt with his maternal grandmother, whom he thought was his mother, and then came to Türkiye; after regaining his health, he started his education in Ankara's Keçiören district.
His maternal grandmother, Hanan Abdelal, is the biggest supporter of Alhamss, who is in a wheelchair, while his family remains in Palestine.
GRANDMOTHER: I WANT HIM TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT
Sharing her experiences and feelings with an AA correspondent, grandmother Abdelal emphasized that life in Gaza is very difficult and said that her grandson's treatment was completed in Türkiye, where they came 3 years ago.
Abdelal stated that Momin, his father, and his uncle were at home at the time of the attack, and said: “On December 2, a bomb fell. His mother and twin brother had gone to the market to buy bread at that time. Momin's father had one leg amputated. His two uncles were martyred. His paternal grandmother had one hand amputated. Momin remained under the rubble for 6 hours. Then Momin went to the hospital. Both his legs were amputated, but the wrong surgery was performed.”
Noting that Momin also underwent surgery in Egypt, Abdelal said they were later taken to Türkiye.
Stating that her grandson's treatment continued here as well, Abdelal said that he was discharged after 5 surgeries and a long treatment process.
Explaining that Momin's psychology deteriorated greatly during this process, Abdelal said: “Because he has no legs, Momin says, ‘What did I do?’ Now his psychology is good. I want Momin to live a normal life, but it is very difficult.”
Also thanking Kemal Özaydın, President of the Yedi İklim Culture, Art, Education, Science and Solidarity Association, Abdelal said that he helped them a lot and that various opportunities were provided to them at the association.
NOW HE CALLS HIS GRANDMOTHER “MOTHER”
Stating that they settled in Keçiören and that her grandson started school, Abdelal said that Momin had gotten somewhat used to his situation, and recorded the following:
“Momin goes to school in the mornings. After the lessons end, he comes to the association and takes Quran lessons here. Momin is now a hafiz. His psychology is also better now. There are other children, there are courses. After Momin was taken to the hospital, he forgot everything. He remembers only his twin brother. Every minute, Momin says, ‘Where is Muhammad, is he okay?’ He remembers only Muhammad. He does not remember his mother or father at all. He thinks that I am his mother. Now Momin calls me mother. He says, ‘I have become Turkish.’ He now uses an electric wheelchair. Momin is not like a disabled person; he is very smart. He loves swimming, airplanes, drawing, and doing homework. Momin loves airplanes very much. We rode an airplane before. I was scared, but he is very strong.”
Abdelal also thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish nation.
THERE ARE 101 CHILDREN AFFECTED BY WAR AT THE ASSOCIATION
Kemal Özaydın, President of the Yedi İklim Culture, Art, Education, Science and Solidarity Association, also said that they carry out work to meet the education, food, clothing, and stationery needs of disadvantaged, war-affected children.
Stating that they currently have 101 children in their organization, Özaydın said they want to expand their activities and help more children.
Explaining that other children like Momin also have different life stories, Özaydın said: “There are children who came here earlier due to the Syrian war. There are children who came due to the Iraq war. Most recently, since 2023, there are children from Gaza. Some of them do not have their families intact. Some of them do not have documents. In other words, they came here under extraordinary conditions.”
WE NEED TO INCREASE AWARENESS IN SOCIETY
Stating that they contribute to children's development by carrying out school-like activities at the association, Özaydın said that children and families are very satisfied.
Saying that necessary permits have been obtained and that they are a non-governmental organization, Özaydın said: “In in-city and out-of-city activities, we carry out good activities to help our children achieve social adaptation and develop themselves, and we receive good feedback.”
Stating that there are children between the ages of 5 and 18 at the association, Özaydın recorded the following:
“First of all, we thank the Republic of Türkiye and its esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. There were already many orphaned and disadvantaged war-affected children in the world; orphaned children number around 150 million. The situation of our region is clear. Our state does what is required of it. All institutions are working. In addition, non-governmental organizations, together with us, are also carrying out these efforts. We thank them all. We need to increase awareness in society. People who are not disadvantaged do not pay much attention to the situations of disadvantaged children and families. This saddens us.”