Mohammed Abed Al Dayem lost both of his legs when Israeli shelling hit the UN-run school where they took refuge during conflict between Israel and Hamas, his father was killed while his mother lost her right eye in the same incident. Mohammed picture was featured in newspapers around the world this week after being hugged by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon while he was visiting at a UN-run school in the northern Gaza Strip.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X3UIII4NXINDNZIPHKRRCFTPHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c6f7e48901c58b2bccd74e19806d69e74891d5540beec504b16fb940b0cc902&width=400&height=225)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AGHVBH2SSW2WJHU6FRTYGUD57U.jpg?smart=true&auth=375122aa7407081add0320772928daf3dcc20e63b628f371616dc81f36649780&width=400&height=225)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AXRNGUVGOMOT4DCNORLGFYCXMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7dab3cf323531e9c302e6c66b51ce9e09bb685e4b16557e1c62d6b6adaef6ea&width=400&height=225)
Najah Abed Al Dayem, 50, holds a picture of her husband, who was killed during the most recent conflict.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UO2U2XKLK7UXBNCBVHWNYVLV34.jpg?smart=true&auth=3c8aa149d40ee05de354ca2c6584f687382d81d858922db91176bb65110d3519&width=400&height=225)
The wife of Mohammed Abed Al Dayem carries her daughter as she feeds her father chocolate.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C7MFPVNWC6KZ4PK2GAHX52T5JQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=615d2a07502fd4b2ad48a3fa23341e9e218f576a82e8d3704c09932f38af70b0&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Abed Al Dayem’s brother pushes him inside their house.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EIDL36LUMGJQ46ATDT7ALH4TS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=67ed46b5d5aa3c5106bcccd148b344e1f7cfb75422a0f3bcbe40e335d76ff6fd&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed is reflected in a mirror as he plays with his daughter.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JUV5VQCTAEJBZXUXK24BZGFSJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc1b45b2ee053273fde2bccde85e911f7683f530929f1776e803471428c0ee45&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Abed Al Dayem’s brother helps him enter his house.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DQ3FDIC6C5MQNKR5J446FUJKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=564584a67f6c28f972fb02c089833d8908b3c1ab3b59b8a2fed6dde9f18eb45c&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian Mohammed Abed Al Dayem, 25, waits to undergo physiotherapy at an artificial limbs centre in Gaza City.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XO27PXM6V6OMY5XRVWZR4MOE7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=e71f49b0d9d24309a585391e92cd69d5bd4fad13c92b5b2b6a77aa2797ef987e&width=400&height=225)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hugs wheelchair-bound Palestinian Mohammed Abed Al Dayem at a UN-run school in the northern Gaza Strip.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X3UIII4NXINDNZIPHKRRCFTPHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c6f7e48901c58b2bccd74e19806d69e74891d5540beec504b16fb940b0cc902&width=400&height=225)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AGHVBH2SSW2WJHU6FRTYGUD57U.jpg?smart=true&auth=375122aa7407081add0320772928daf3dcc20e63b628f371616dc81f36649780&width=400&height=225)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AXRNGUVGOMOT4DCNORLGFYCXMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7dab3cf323531e9c302e6c66b51ce9e09bb685e4b16557e1c62d6b6adaef6ea&width=400&height=225)
Najah Abed Al Dayem, 50, holds a picture of her husband, who was killed during the most recent conflict.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UO2U2XKLK7UXBNCBVHWNYVLV34.jpg?smart=true&auth=3c8aa149d40ee05de354ca2c6584f687382d81d858922db91176bb65110d3519&width=400&height=225)
The wife of Mohammed Abed Al Dayem carries her daughter as she feeds her father chocolate.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C7MFPVNWC6KZ4PK2GAHX52T5JQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=615d2a07502fd4b2ad48a3fa23341e9e218f576a82e8d3704c09932f38af70b0&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Abed Al Dayem’s brother pushes him inside their house.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EIDL36LUMGJQ46ATDT7ALH4TS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=67ed46b5d5aa3c5106bcccd148b344e1f7cfb75422a0f3bcbe40e335d76ff6fd&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed is reflected in a mirror as he plays with his daughter.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JUV5VQCTAEJBZXUXK24BZGFSJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=dc1b45b2ee053273fde2bccde85e911f7683f530929f1776e803471428c0ee45&width=400&height=225)
Mohammed Abed Al Dayem’s brother helps him enter his house.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DQ3FDIC6C5MQNKR5J446FUJKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=564584a67f6c28f972fb02c089833d8908b3c1ab3b59b8a2fed6dde9f18eb45c&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian Mohammed Abed Al Dayem, 25, waits to undergo physiotherapy at an artificial limbs centre in Gaza City.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XO27PXM6V6OMY5XRVWZR4MOE7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=e71f49b0d9d24309a585391e92cd69d5bd4fad13c92b5b2b6a77aa2797ef987e&width=400&height=225)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hugs wheelchair-bound Palestinian Mohammed Abed Al Dayem at a UN-run school in the northern Gaza Strip.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X3UIII4NXINDNZIPHKRRCFTPHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5c6f7e48901c58b2bccd74e19806d69e74891d5540beec504b16fb940b0cc902&width=400&height=225)
Ban Ki-moon hugs Palestinian Mohammed Abed Al Daye
Mark Asquith
16 October, 2014
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic