In brief
As the conflict in Lebanon intensifies, two-year-old Ivana suffers life-altering injuries from an Israeli missile strike. Her father's harrowing story reveals the stark realities of civilian suffering in war, the challenges faced by medical teams, and the deep emotional scars left behind.
The escalating conflict in Lebanon has devastated families, with the recent bombardments leaving behind tragic tales of loss and injury. A father, Mohammed Skayki, recounts how his two-year-old daughter, Ivana, became a victim of an Israeli missile strike that occurred on 23 September as they prepared to evacuate their home in Deir Qanoun En Nahr. The missile landed just 10 meters from their front door, shattering their lives in an instant. Mohammed recalls the chaos as explosions rocked their vicinity while his daughters played on the balcony. In a scene echoing the horrors of war, he describes carrying a disfigured Ivana, who was covered in missile dust, as the ceiling started to collapse around them.Having rushed her to Geitaoui Hospital in Beirut, where she received treatment for third-degree burns covering nearly half her body, Ivan's family faced unimaginable trauma. Ivana's older sister, seven-year-old Rahaf, suffered lesser injuries and has since found refuge with relatives. Though Ivana's condition remains critical, Dr. Ziad Sleiman, a plastic surgeon at the hospital, reports her remarkable resilience during care. In a grim atmosphere where many patients endure severe burns, the dedicated medical team is overwhelmed by the influx of victims from the ongoing Israeli airstrikes, which have also targeted healthcare facilities.The Lebanese health system is suffering immensely amid this conflict, with the World Health Organization documenting numerous attacks on medical facilities. The situation is further complicated as the Israeli Defense Forces justify their actions by claiming to target Hezbollah, stating they do not aim for civilians or medical personnel.Amongst the chaos, Dr. Sleiman reflects on the emotional burden of treating war casualties, emphasizing that all victims are civilians. “There’s no war that ends with a winner,” he states, resonating with exposed truths that resonate throughout Lebanon.In a poignant moment, Mohammed expresses his anguish over Ivana's suffering while grappling with the larger dilemma of violence and vengeance. As his daughter heals, the haunting images of war linger, reminding him and many others that the cost of such conflicts far outweighs any perceived victories.With uncertainty clouding their future, Ivana's family continues to navigate the impacts of war, facing displacement while yearning for the day they can return home — a home that is currently a battleground.
