The recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in a devastating pattern of injuries among thousands of individuals, reminiscent of the injuries witnessed by Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah during his time working in Gaza. Dr. Abu-Sittah, now based at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, highlighted the challenges faced in transporting the wounded to hospitals due to congested roads caused by people fleeing Israeli strikes.
Dr. Abu-Sittah expressed his concern over the similarity in injuries, noting blast injuries to the face, limb amputations, multiple shrapnel wounds, and crushing injuries from collapsed buildings. These injuries mirror those he encountered in Gaza during October and November of the previous year.
The strain on Lebanon's healthcare system is evident, with Dr. Abu-Sittah describing it as 'very, very fragile' and struggling to manage the influx of over 2,000 injuries within a span of two days. The situation is further exacerbated by the tragic reality that many children are still trapped under rubble following the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.
The UN children's agency has issued warnings about the increasing number of children missing under debris, emphasizing the urgent need for rescue efforts and medical assistance. Lebanon recently experienced its deadliest day since 2006, underscoring the severity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
