The escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon is inflicting severe damage on the nation’s already fragile healthcare system. According to World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, more than half of Lebanon’s medical centers located in conflict zones have been compelled to shut down due to intense Israeli airstrikes.
Out of 207 primary healthcare centers in affected areas, 100 are now closed, leaving countless individuals without essential medical care. The situation is critical, with the number of injured rising and the overstretched healthcare system struggling to manage limited resources and personnel. The WHO has issued an urgent appeal for the protection of patients and healthcare workers, demanding an immediate cessation of violence.
The crisis has been further compounded by the Israeli military’s alarming warning that it will target ambulances allegedly used by Hezbollah to transport weapons. This threat places healthcare workers in an untenable position, forcing them to balance their duty to provide medical care with the risk to their own safety. Tragically, at least 50 paramedics linked to medical facilities associated with Hezbollah have already lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes.
The violence has also inflicted significant damage to critical medical infrastructure. Recently, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes damaged five hospitals in the eastern city of Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley, further undermining the beleaguered healthcare system’s capacity to deliver essential services.
The tragic ramifications of this conflict extend far beyond immediate casualties. The destruction of Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure threatens to leave lasting damage, jeopardizing the well-being of its citizens for years to come. The international community must act urgently to ensure the protection of healthcare workers, facilities, and patients while working toward a resolution to this devastating conflict.
