In the wake of devastating device explosions in Lebanon, surgeon Elias Jaradeh recounted the overwhelming number of severely injured patients that forced him to adopt a “robotic” approach just to continue his work. The attacks, which have been attributed to Israel, resulted in the deaths of 37 people, including two children, and injured around 3,200 others.
Dr. Jaradeh, also an MP for the Change parliamentary bloc, treated numerous victims at a specialized eye and ear hospital. He noted that while many of the injured were young men, a significant number were women and children. Tragically, many patients suffered severe injuries, including the loss of eyesight.
The attacks have not only targeted Hezbollah fighters but also affected innocent bystanders and family members, with Dr. Jaradeh observing that most of the victims appeared to be civilians. “You have to dissociate yourself,” he explained, highlighting the emotional toll on medical staff as they witnessed the nation suffering.
In the aftermath, eye specialist Prof. Elias Warrak revealed that he performed more eye extractions in one night than he had in his entire career, describing the experience as unprecedented. Health Minister Firass Abiad emphasized the life-altering nature of the injuries sustained by the victims, many of whom will require extensive rehabilitation.
Witness accounts describe scenes of chaos and horror in hospitals, with injuries primarily affecting the face and hands. One journalist noted the rapid arrival of ambulances, bringing in patients with severe wounds, while another recounted seeing individuals with horrific facial injuries.
The attacks have reignited traumatic memories from the Beirut port explosion four years ago, when a massive blast resulted in significant casualties. Now, as the Lebanese army destroys suspicious devices and bans walkie-talkies and pagers on flights, the health minister warns of the serious implications of technology being weaponized.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the device attacks as a “massacre” and a “declaration of war,” amid ongoing tensions and cross-border fire with Israel. Both Dr. Jaradeh and Health Minister Abiad expressed grave concerns for the future, suggesting that without a genuine peace process, Lebanon may be bracing for further conflict.