Gaza child surgeries have become a stark symbol of the medical crisis facing civilians in the territory. Six-year-old Raseel al-Balawi has undergone more than 20 operations after being injured in an air strike in late July, as doctors work repeatedly to control infections in her wounds.
The case highlights the severe challenges confronting Gaza’s hospitals, where medical teams are treating complex injuries amid widespread destruction, limited supplies and continuing insecurity. Raseel’s treatment has continued through a period when a ceasefire has faltered and bombardment has persisted.
Gaza child surgeries continue as infections threaten recovery
Raseel was staying with her family in a tent at the al-Mawasi camp when witnesses said it was hit by a strike from an Israeli helicopter. She suffered serious injuries and has since required frequent procedures to prevent infections from spreading.
More than 20 surgeries have been carried out since the incident. Each operation is part of an ongoing effort to clean and manage her wounds, demonstrating how difficult recovery can be for children injured in Gaza.
Doctors are working in conditions made more difficult by the near-total destruction of much of the infrastructure on which civilians depend. Damage to hospitals, shortages of essential medical materials and displacement have all increased the pressure on health workers.
A child’s treatment amid a wider humanitarian emergency
Raseel’s experience is part of a wider humanitarian emergency affecting children across Gaza. Families have been forced to seek shelter in temporary camps, while medical staff continue to provide care during bombardment and amid severe disruption to basic services.
For young patients, treating an initial injury is often only the beginning. Wounds can require repeated surgery, monitoring and specialist care—resources that are difficult to provide when hospitals are overwhelmed and access to supplies is uncertain.
What witnesses and Israel’s military have said
Witnesses said the al-Mawasi tent was struck by an Israeli helicopter. Israel’s military said it had no record of the attack and expressed regret for any harm caused to civilians.
The differing accounts underline the difficulty of establishing what happened in individual incidents during the conflict. Civilians and medical workers continue to face danger, while families seek treatment and information in exceptionally challenging circumstances.
Filming Gaza’s children during continuing conflict
BBC Eye Investigations followed Raseel and her family over the summer to document her treatment and the challenges facing doctors. The wider reporting examines how children are coping with the destruction of the infrastructure they rely on for healthcare, shelter and survival.
The BBC World Service has also filmed across Gaza during the summer. The full film is available on iPlayer, offering further reporting on the experiences of children and families living through the conflict.
Why medical access remains critical in Gaza
Repeated operations require functioning theatres, trained staff, antibiotics, sterile equipment and reliable post-operative care. When those systems are damaged or disrupted, even a treatable injury can become life-threatening.
- Infection control: Open wounds require regular assessment and treatment.
- Hospital capacity: Medical teams must care for trauma patients while managing other emergencies.
- Displacement: Families in temporary shelters may struggle to reach hospitals safely.
- Infrastructure damage: Disrupted water, electricity and sanitation can complicate recovery.
Raseel’s repeated surgeries show the long-term consequences of injuries sustained during conflict. Her treatment is not a single medical event but a continuing process that depends on access to care and a safe environment.
Gaza child surgeries: the continuing human cost
Raseel al-Balawi’s story illustrates the human cost of the conflict in Gaza, particularly for children whose injuries require prolonged medical attention. More than 20 surgeries have been needed to control infections, while doctors continue working amid enormous pressure.
The central takeaway is clear: medical treatment does not end when a child is removed from immediate danger. For children such as Raseel, recovery requires repeated surgery, specialist care and stable access to hospitals—conditions that remain extremely difficult to secure in Gaza.
