Children from Gaza, treated for wounds, now caught in Lebanon conflict

Photo : Reuters

The war in Gaza has deeply affected many lives, especially the children caught in its violence. Among those impacted are the Palestinian children brought to Lebanon for medical treatment through a special initiative. These children, including 7-year-old Halima Abou Yassine, were severely wounded during airstrikes in Gaza, with their lives forever altered by the injuries they sustained. Halima, whose skull was cracked open during an attack in February, was initially declared dead after the hospital mistakenly classified her as such. However, her uncle noticed faint signs of life, prompting doctors to work tirelessly to save her. She survived, but her injuries required extensive treatment that led her and her family to Lebanon for ongoing care.

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Halima’s case is not isolated. Many other wounded Palestinian children, like five-year-old Adam Afana, also came to Lebanon for treatment after being caught in the crossfire of the ongoing violence in Gaza. Adam had lost much of his left arm and required complex surgery for nerve damage. The children arrived with hopes of receiving care, away from the war-torn streets of Gaza. Yet, just months after their arrival in Lebanon, the country too found itself in the grip of escalating conflict.

In early October 2023, Lebanon became embroiled in a new phase of violence, as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah began firing rockets across the border in support of Hamas in Gaza. This marked a major shift, as the war between Israel and Gaza now threatened to spill over into Lebanon. The situation has since escalated, with Israel launching airstrikes on Lebanon in response.

The patients, including the children from Gaza, who had been brought to Lebanon for medical treatment, found themselves in an increasingly dangerous situation. The children quickly adjusted to wartime routines, such as sheltering in rooms without windows during airstrikes. Despite the trauma they had already experienced, they were now faced with yet another conflict.

For the medical team led by British-Palestinian surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, the situation has become increasingly difficult. Initially, the program had hoped to treat 50 Palestinian children at a time. However, due to the escalation in Lebanon, they have had to pause bringing in new children and are now focusing on treating the ones already in the country. Some of the children have undergone successful surgeries, like Halima, who received surgery to repair her skull at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Despite her improvements, she still faces ongoing struggles with memory loss and other lingering effects of her traumatic injuries.

The situation has also deeply affected the families of the children. For many, Lebanon is not just a place of refuge but a place of solidarity with Gaza. Nawfal, Halima’s mother, emphasized that Lebanon is not just another country but a sister to Gaza. She refused to evacuate, choosing to stay with her daughter even as violence escalated around them. The family, like others, hopes Lebanon will not face the same fate as Gaza, where so many lives have been lost in the ongoing war.

The wounds suffered by these children are a stark reminder of the harsh realities of war. The injuries they have sustained are often similar to those suffered by Palestinian children in Gaza, with many having been wounded while in their homes. Despite the challenges faced by the medical teams and families, the efforts to provide care continue, though the situation remains dire. The conflict in Gaza continues to affect not only the lives of those directly involved but also those who seek refuge and healing in neighboring countries like Lebanon, which is now facing its own perilous future.

This ongoing cycle of violence highlights the broader impact of conflict on innocent lives, particularly children. As the wars in Gaza and Lebanon continue, the fate of these children remains uncertain, and the international community must continue to focus on providing aid and finding a peaceful resolution to the situation.

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