On a sweltering day in late July, a civilian helicopter from the Israeli military struck the makeshift tent of Raseel al‑Balawi, a six‑year‑old girl living in Gaza’s al‑Mawasi camp. The blast left her with deep wounds and a consequent surge of infections, forcing her to undergo a staggering 20-plus surgeries in the months since.
Witnesses in the camp insist the strike was intentional, pointing to a pattern of aerial attacks on civilian structures. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement denying any record of the incident and expressing regret for unintended civilian casualties. The two positions have not yet aligned.
BBC Eye Investigations followed Raseel and her family throughout the summer, capturing the harsh reality inside Gaza’s over‑burdened medical facilities. Their footage shows doctors performing urgent procedures under cramped conditions, while the continuous bombardment hampers the delivery of essential supplies.
The case of Raseel underscores the vulnerability of civilian children caught in the cross‑fire and the devastating impact on a population already deprived of basic medical services. Her story is just one of many that illuminate the ongoing tragedy in Gaza.
For a full documentary on how children in Gaza are coping amid widespread destruction, watch the film on the BBC iPlayer.
