In brief
Raseel al‑Balawi, a 6‑year‑old from al‑Mawasi camp, has been subjected to more than 20 surgeries since a strike in late July. Witnesses claim an Israeli helicopter hit her tent, causing injuries that now require repeated surgical interventions. Israel denies responsibility for the incident, asserting "no record of the attack". The situation highlights the severe strain on Gaza’s medical facilities amid ongoing hostilities and intensifies discussion over civilian impact and accountability.
Raseel al‑Balawi, a 6‑year‑old from the al‑Mawasi refugee camp in Gaza City, has needed more than 20 operations since a strike occurred in late July, according to the BBC.
Witnesses say a helicopter fired on her camp tent during an Israeli strike, leaving her with severe wounds that have repeatedly opened up, forcing her medical team to perform frequent surgeries to manage infections.
Israel’s military, however, has insisted it has no record of attacking the camp and has described such incidents as tragic errors, expressing regret for any harm to civilians.
The case underscores the intense strain on Gaza’s medical infrastructure, which is already stretched thin by ongoing air and artillery bombardment. Doctors report shortages of clean water, operating supplies and operating rooms, forcing patients to wait hours for critical care.
Different perspectives
From the Israeli view, the military aims to target armed groups while minimizing civilian casualties, and it maintains that its air strikes are conducted with intelligence checks. Palestinian authorities, meanwhile, frame such strikes as part of a broader strategy to demoralise and displace civilian populations, arguing that humanitarian principles are frequently violated.
International observers note that repeated medical interventions reflect both the vulnerability of children in conflict zones and systemic civil‑health deficiencies, prompting calls for increased transparency and independent investigation of alleged attacks.
The BBC’s Eye Investigations team have spent the summer documenting living conditions for children in Gaza, offering a rare look at personal stories amid the conflict’s devastation.
