In the aftermath of a series of bomb attacks that left 37 dead and thousands injured in Lebanon, surgeons like Dr. Elias Jaradeh found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of severely wounded patients. Forced to operate “robotically” to endure the pressure, Dr. Jaradeh worked relentlessly to treat a flood of victims, many of whom were left blinded or disfigured.
Dr. Jaradeh, a member of Lebanon’s parliament and an eye surgeon, described the emotional toll it took on the medical teams. “You have to dissociate yourself,” he said. “You are robotic, but inside you are deeply injured. You are seeing the nation injured.”
The attacks, which targeted civilian areas and markets, have been widely attributed to Israeli forces, although Israel has not claimed responsibility. Health Minister Firass Abiad called the bombings “a war crime,” emphasizing the long-term impact these injuries would have on the victims, many of whom will require extensive rehabilitation.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes at hospitals, where patients arrived with severe injuries to their faces, eyes, and hands. “In one night, I extracted more damaged eyes than I had in my entire career,” said Prof. Elias Warrak, an eye specialist treating the victims.
With Lebanon still recovering from the trauma of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the recent violence has reopened deep wounds in the country. As tensions between Hezbollah and Israel continue to escalate, many fear that Lebanon is once again on the brink of deeper conflict.
Dr. Jaradeh expressed his concern for the future: “If you don’t reach a permanent peace process, we are preparing for another war.”
The Lebanese army has since taken measures to destroy suspicious devices, and there are growing concerns about the increasing weaponization of everyday technologies.