In brief
Ivana, just two years old, is recovering from third-degree burns after an Israeli missile struck near her family home as they prepared to flee the escalating violence in southern Lebanon. Her father recounts the chaos of the attack, while medical workers highlight the ongoing challenges faced by civilians amidst continuous bombardment.
In a heartbreaking account from Beirut, a Lebanese father, Mohammed Skayki, details the horrific injuries sustained by his two-year-old daughter, Ivana, due to an Israeli missile strike on their home. The missile incident occurred on September 23, as Israel intensified bombardments in southern Lebanon, marking a lead-up to its military invasion. With her head and arms heavily bandaged, Ivana suffers from third-degree burns covering almost half her body. As she lies frail in a hospital bed, her father fans her face gently to soothe her cries of pain. "We were ready to move… the strike was just 10 meters away from our door," Mohammed explained, recounting the disorienting moments as they prepared to evacuate their home in Deir Qanoun En Nahr. With multiple explosions surrounding them, the family was forced to leave in haste, taking only their phones and a meager fifty dollars.Medical responders quickly transported Ivana and her seven-year-old sister, Rahaf, to Geitaoui Hospital for treatment. While Rahaf was discharged with less severe injuries, Ivana’s condition remains critical. Photos shared by her father reveal her innocent face before the strike—her bright brown eyes and warm smile contrasting sharply with her current state, where she struggles in her recovery.Dr. Ziad Sleiman, one of the plastic surgeons tending to Ivana, acknowledges her remarkable spirit and resilience despite her painful circumstances. "She’s so brave, so strong," he remarked, emphasizing the psychological toll on the medical staff treating the multitude of burn victims flooding the unit. With Lebanon's health system under siege and healthcare providers facing unprecedented pressures, the situation remains dire, compounded by verified attacks on medical facilities and personnel.The Israeli Defense Forces maintain that their target is Hezbollah, labeling it a terrorist organization, while they affirm that attacks on medical infrastructure are denied. In the wake of continuous assaults, the medical team is grappling with the reality that the majority of their patients are innocent civilians caught in the turmoil.Before departing, Mohammed expressed his sorrow and discontent about the conflict, specifically the effects on children like Ivana. Echoing a sentiment shared by many, he feels helpless yet adamant against the cycle of violence: “I don’t want to be a murderer like them," he said, demonstrating both his grief and moral stance in the face of unimaginable loss.As Ivana prepares for a skin graft and recovery, her family remains displaced, unable to return home due to ongoing hostilities. Dr. Sleiman anticipates that many more will experience similar fates in this relentless conflict, asserting, “Every war ends with so many losers.”
