British-Palestinian surgeon treats children injured in conflict at Beirut clinic

Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, a prominent British-Palestinian plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is leading a medical effort in Beirut to treat children severely wounded in recent conflicts. Working from the headquarters of the Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund in the Hamra district, the surgeon is managing a schedule of complex operations for young patients from both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

According to Middle East Eye, the surgeon’s current operating list includes 11 children facing catastrophic injuries. Among those scheduled for surgery are two siblings suffering from medical complications caused by shrapnel wounds sustained during the 2024 war. The cases highlight the long-term medical challenges faced by civilians long after the initial kinetic phase of a conflict concludes.

Reconstructive procedures

The medical team is focusing on salvaging limbs and preparing patients for long-term recovery. One case involves a boy with a partial foot amputation who requires reconstructive surgery, while another patient with an amputation needs a procedure to finish the stump, a necessary step before beginning rehabilitation with prosthetic limbs.

Another young patient is scheduled for a prolonged reconstructive procedure to salvage an elbow joint. Dr Abu Sittah described the nature of these injuries to Middle East Eye as "catastrophic," noting that many of the children have had their lives irreversibly altered by the violence.

Impact on families

The surgeries also address victims of specific strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. One patient, 12-year-old Fatima, survived an Israeli strike on her family's home in the village of Libbaya on 7 March. The attack, which left Fatima as the youngest of three surviving sisters, resulted in the death of a fourth sister and left their mother with serious injuries.

These medical interventions are part of a broader effort to provide specialized surgical care to minors who have limited access to the advanced reconstructive techniques required for war-related trauma. The work continues as the region grapples with the humanitarian consequences of ongoing hostilities.

Based on reporting by Middle East Eye.