Six‑year‑old Raseel al‑Balawi of the al‑Mawasi camp in Gaza has undergone more than 20 surgeries since an Israeli helicopter strike hit her tent in late July. The attack left deep wounds that are now prone to infection, forcing frequent, life‑saving operations for the child.
Witnesses say the strike came directly from a helicopter, but the Israeli Defence Forces report having no record of the attack and state they "regret any harm to civilians." In contrast, doctors treating Raseel describe constant shortages of supplies, overwhelmed wards, and the constant threat of new injuries.
BBC Eye Investigations spent the summer shadowing Raseel’s medical team as the cease‑fire falters and daily bombardment continues. Their footage shows surgeons working in cramped spaces, rationed antibiotics, and the emotional toll on both patients and healthcare workers.
The children of Gaza, as Raseel’s story illustrates, face a brutal reality of repeated trauma beneath a backdrop of devastated infrastructure. The BBC World Service’s camera has captured their resilience and the desperate clamor for basic medical care – a truth that extends far beyond headlines.
To watch the full film of Raseel’s journey and the condition of Gaza’s healthcare system, stream on the BBC iPlayer full film on iPlayer.
