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A Palestinian karate champion who lost her leg in an Israeli strike in Gaza last month has died in Egypt, days after being taken to the country for treatment, her father told The National on Friday.
Nagham Abu Samra, 24, who had been in a coma since the attack on December 18 that killed her sister Rosanne, suffered from complications in the days before death, her father said.
She had been moved from the intensive care unit of Al Aqsa Martyr's Hospital in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza, to the southern border and then across into Egypt.
With all of Gaza's hospitals destroyed or damaged, reaching medical care in Egypt was seen as Ms Abu Samra's only chance of survival.
“I feel like I'm losing her,” Marwan Abu Samra told The National on WhatsApp hours before his daughter's death at Bier Elabd hospital, in the Egyptian city of Al Arish.
At the time, he said her heart rate had gone up and the dressing for her amputated leg needed changing. She needed more tests but her condition was too serious.
“Nagham was an exceptional woman,” Mr Abu Samra said.
He said she always stayed in touch with people in the area she grew up in and tried to be a role model for the girls she taught at the women's gym she opened.
“She knew everybody in the neighbourhood and always made sure to ask about people. She would join people in their good times and the sad,” he said.
Ms Abu Samra was rarely seen without her white uniform and black hijab, having won first and second place in the Palestinian Karate Championships in 2017 and 2019.
Her love for the sport was so strong that she decided to pursue a bachelor's and master's degree in physical education.
She then opened her gym, offering karate training to girls.
Ms Abu Samra had tried to remain positive even after her mother's death from cancer four months before the war in Gaza began in early October.
According to her brothers, she was their father's favourite and the closest to him out of his four children.
Mr Abu Samra remained by his daughter's side as much as he could while she was unconscious. He slept on a wooden chair outside her room in the Egyptian hospital.
In Gaza, he slept in a car outside Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The hospital has since come under attack from Israeli forces.
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Keane on …
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Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
