A Melbourne student who was allegedly shot by Israeli forces has recalled how she feared she would lose her life and is now fighting to save the vision in her right eye.
Ranem Abu Izneid, 20, returned home to Melbourne after the ordeal while studying in his room on the Al-Quds University campus in Abu Dis, a Palestinian city in the West Bank, on November 15.
Speaking from her hospital bed, Abu Izneid said she heard gunshots and her roommate went to the window to see what was happening. ABC News reported.
The student claimed that an Israeli soldier began shooting at the room’s window.
“The bullets penetrated the window frame, causing shrapnel to lodge in my face, neck and chest and specifically in my right eye,” he said.
“I could have been dead.”
The third-year dental student does not know if she will be able to return to her studies and is still traumatized, in addition to suffering pain from her physical injuries.
The Australian citizen said her life had “turned upside down” and added that she was minding her own business when the shooting occurred.
Ranem Abu Izneid, 20 (pictured), is now recovering in the Royal Melbourne Hospital after being injured by shrapnel in her university room in the West Bank on November 15.
The student (pictured) suffered injuries to her face, neck and chest and will undergo surgery in Melbourne to save her right eye.
The student thanked the Australian embassy staff who helped her family, but would like more help.
‘I want to be able to see again. I want to be able to achieve my dreams again. I want you to help me with my studies, if I can continue my dental studies here,’ he said.
His mother, Rana, said her family was in disbelief at the attack and considered the situation “horrible.”
He added that the place where his daughter studied is a “safe zone”, without war and full of students.
Mrs Abu Izneid underwent surgery in Jerusalem before a painful trip to Jordan, followed by the long flight to Australia.
The third-year dental student flew back to Australia without a medical escort, with the Australian Palestinian Medical Association of New Zealand calling it “inappropriate”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it provided consular assistance, but the student was transferred to a commercial flight to Melbourne without medical accompaniment, it said. 9 News.
The Australian Palestine Medical Association New Zealand is unhappy about the student’s lack of medical assistance on her long flight home, calling it “inappropriate”.
They and Ms Abu Izneid’s family have called for an independent investigation into the alleged shooting.
“It’s so frustrating, so frustrating, I can’t imagine why we allowed this to happen,” said Dr Mohammed Irrimeh of the Australian Palestine Medical Association of New Zealand.
Although the Australian government’s The Smart Traveler website advises Australians not to travel to the West Bank, the city the student was in is a non-combat zone.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office and the Israeli Embassy in Australia for comment.