Abu Samra was from the Nuseirat refugee camp.[2] She began learning karate as a child, eventually attaining a black belt.[1][3] Although she was criticized by some people in her community for participating in a sport they considered to be off-limits for girls, her father supported her interest in karate.[4][3]
Abu Samra competed several times at the Palestine Karate Championship, placing first in 2019.[1][4][3] She obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in Physical Education at Al-Aqsa University.[1] In 2021, she started a sports training club for girls.[2][3][1] Abu Samra advocated for girls to participate in sports,[1] stating: "I wanted every girl to feel her strength from within, not from those surrounding her."[4] According to her father, she wanted to "inspire generations of girls to play karate".[5] Considered a Palestinian sports icon,[1][6] Abu Samra was expected to represent Palestine in the 2024 Summer Olympics.[1][7]
On 17 or 18 December 2023, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on Nuseirat refugee camp that hit Abu Samra's home,[3][8] killing her sister Roseanne.[1][2] Abu Samra sustained serious injuries in the attack; she arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in a coma and having lost her right leg.[1][9] Due to Israeli attacks on the healthcare system and the shortage of medical supplies and other resources, hospitals in Gaza have limited capacity.[1][10] Additionally, her family feared an Israeli airstrike would hit the hospital.[3] Unable to adequately treat her severe injuries, the hospital attempted to obtain a permit to evacuate her.[1][10] Her father posted a video on social media requesting international assistance in transferring her for medical care.[9][8][11] He told Sky News: "I am ruined. Nagham is my life and my spirit".[5]
After several weeks, Abu Samra was granted a medical permit and transferred to a hospital in El-Arish, Egypt, arriving January 7.[1][10] Her father, who travelled with her, said that Abu Samra almost died on the journey due to issues with her ventilator.[10] Around that time, the Israeli military started attacking the Al-Aqsa hospital that had treated Abu Samra in Gaza.[10] A few days after reaching Egypt, she died.[9][12]
After Abu Samra's death, an Al-Aqsa Hospital official stated that her permit to evacuate had been granted "too late".[1]Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestine Olympic Committee, called her death a loss for Palestinian sports.[1] Abu Samra has been mentioned in several news articles about Palestinian athletes killed by Israel in the Israel–Hamas war.[13][6][7][14] As of May 2024, it was estimated that between 243-300 Palestinian athletes had been killed since the war began.[13][7]
