A burn is more than just a wound: it is a prolonged sentence of suffering, and even more so in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. In Gaza, many people suffer extensive burns covering large parts of their bodies, some up to 40% of their total body surface area. After more than 19 months of attacks by Israeli forces that have decimated Gaza's healthcare system, patients suffering burns from bomb blasts and improvised cooking methods find themselves with few options for care. As Israeli authorities maintain the siege of Gaza, blocking access to basic aid, medical supplies, and lifesaving equipment, many patients suffer excruciating pain with little to no relief.
In August 2024, 17-year-old Tayseer Mansour suffered severe burns all over his body in an Israeli attack that hit his home, killing his mother and injuring his father and siblings. He is being treated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
“I suffered severe third-degree burns. I've been hospitalized for more than 150 days. I can't move my hands anymore; it hurts a lot,” says Mansour. “I can't eat alone or do almost anything. This has affected me greatly. I hope to recover,” he comments.
Since Israeli forces resumed hostilities on March 18, Doctors Without Borders/Médicins Sin Fronteras (MSF) teams have observed an increase in the number of burn patients, mostly children. In April, at the Gaza City clinic, which MSF manages in the north of the Strip, our teams treated an average of more than 100 patients with burns and injuries per day.
In today's program, Dr. Tomasso Fabbri will talk about his experience with Médecins Sans Frontières, specifically in Gaza.
Note: The program will be in Spanish with English translation