Beirut Hospital Tends to Children Wounded in Israeli Strikes

Children Bear Brunt of Conflict in Beirut Hospital

In a Beirut hospital, the sounds of grief and resilience echo through the halls as medical staff work tirelessly to treat children suffering from injuries sustained in recent Israeli airstrikes. The ward, filled with young patients, tells a harrowing story of a conflict that spares no one, with some children bearing wounds from attacks in Lebanon and others having been evacuated from Gaza.

A Grandmother’s Grief and a Child’s Survival

Among the many heartbreaking cases is Amina, a grandmother mourning the loss of her own daughter, who was killed in the opening hours of the current hostilities. Her daughter died shielding her four-year-old granddaughter, Malika, from shrapnel wounds to the face. “She lost her life trying to protect her daughter,” Amina recounted, her voice heavy with sorrow. “Just like I raised your mother, I will raise you,” she vowed to Malika, demonstrating a profound commitment to her granddaughter’s future despite the immense personal tragedy.

Malika and her family were attempting to evacuate when their car was struck. The hospital is also treating an 11-year-old girl, one of three sisters who sustained severe injuries. Having just emerged from surgery, her condition is reportedly stable, a small comfort amidst the surrounding devastation.

Dr. Hassan Abou-Setta: A Beacon of Hope

Leading the charge in treating these young victims is Dr. Hassan Abou-Setta, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who previously gained international recognition for his work in Gaza following the October 7th attacks. Dr. Abou-Setta has since established a foundation dedicated solely to the care of children affected by the conflict.

“If these things become normal to you, then you’ve lost something very important. You need to be continuously outraged,” Dr. Abou-Setta stated, emphasizing the moral imperative to remain sensitive to the suffering of children.

His sentiment underscores the psychological toll of the ongoing violence, highlighting the importance of maintaining empathy and a sense of justice in the face of repeated tragedies.

The Wider Impact: Children as Victims

The statistics emerging from the conflict are grim. In the first week of the war, an average of ten children were killed daily in Lebanon, according to government officials. These casualties are a direct consequence of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah, a powerful paramilitary group supported by Iran.

The hospital’s patient roster includes not only Lebanese children but also those from Gaza. Six-year-old Omar is one such case, the sole survivor of an Israeli strike that claimed the lives of his entire family. He recounts being blown away by an explosion while playing on his bicycle in December 2023.

Omar, now fitted with a new prosthetic arm, retains an infectious laugh and a determination to rebuild his future. “Zebra, zebra,” he says, referencing his new limb. His aspirations are ambitious: he dreams of becoming an engineer to rebuild Gaza and a doctor to aid his people, showcasing remarkable resilience despite his profound loss.

Escalating Violence in Beirut

The relative safety of Beirut has been shattered by a recent wave of Israeli airstrikes. While targeting Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs, the attacks have expanded, with targeted strikes now hitting central Beirut. This escalation has triggered significant panic among residents, as such attacks in the city center are rare.

In the past few days, Lebanese media has reported a vehicle being targeted in central Beirut, resulting in five fatalities. This incident is part of a broader pattern of Israeli operations in the past week, extending beyond traditional Hezbollah areas.

“You need to be outraged when a child tells you that she was sitting on her mom’s lap when her mom was killed. That moral outrage is what keeps us human and what differentiates us from those who do the killing,” a reporter on the ground stated, reflecting the profound emotional impact of witnessing such events.

The rising death toll and the expanding reach of the strikes have left Beirut residents uncertain about the trajectory of the conflict and its duration.

Looking Ahead

As the conflict intensifies, the focus remains on the humanitarian cost, particularly for the youngest victims. The work of medical professionals like Dr. Abou-Setta and the resilience of children like Malika and Omar offer glimmers of hope. However, the ongoing airstrikes and the palpable fear in Beirut suggest that the coming days will continue to be challenging, with the international community watching closely for any de-escalation or further humanitarian consequences.

Source: Beirut hospital treating children wounded in Israeli strikes (YouTube)