They were welcomed with flowers by a number of children who had previously arrived in Lebanon for treatment and are still continuing their recovery stages. In his conversation with us, the child Khamis Akeela (11 years old) recounted the details of his survival from an Israeli attack while fleeing with his family on a UNRWA bus. He said, “We were moving from one area to another on a UNRWA bus when Israel bombed us, and then we were shot at by a drone while we were wounded, including children.” Khamis lost seven family members, and eight others were seriously injured, mostly with burns. He himself suffered burns covering most of his body along with other severe injuries, as did his mother, father, and several relatives who are suffering from fourth-degree burns. The child adds, “Today, I came to wait and welcome.” Among the injured who arrived tonight was the child Suwar Qatamsh, who suffered a severe injury to her leg. She says, “I came from Palestine to receive treatment for my leg, as I need a bone, tissue, and skin graft. The building next to our home was bombed, and a wall fell on me, injuring me. I hope to return soon to Gaza to see my father and siblings.” Darine Dandashly, the executive director and founding member of the Ghassan Abu-Sitteh Fund for Children, explained that the six families that arrived include six adults and nine children, with injuries ranging from burns to fractures and amputations, noting that a comprehensive treatment plan will be put in place to prepare them for recovery and their eventual return first to Egypt, and then to the Gaza Strip. According to the fund, Lebanon has so far received a total of 32 injured children with their escorts, while seven children have left after completing their treatment and recovery.
