Nearly 230 Health Workers Killed in Lebanon: WHO

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that nearly 230 health workers have been killed in Lebanon since the escalation of cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in October 2023. This comes after the October 7 attacks that marked the start of the conflict, which has led to a significant strain on Lebanon’s already fragile healthcare system.

According to WHO representative Abdinasir Abubakar, there have been 187 attacks on healthcare facilities over the past 13 months, with 226 deaths and 199 injuries recorded during this period. The escalation of violence since September has seen almost 70 percent of these casualties, underlining the devastating impact of the conflict on those providing vital healthcare services.

Abubakar described the targeting of healthcare providers as a clear violation of international humanitarian law, emphasizing that nearly half of these attacks have resulted in fatalities, making Lebanon’s healthcare system one of the most impacted by ongoing global conflicts. In comparison, other conflict zones like Ukraine and Sudan have seen fewer fatal attacks on healthcare facilities.

The WHO also reported that 15 of Lebanon’s 153 hospitals have either ceased operations or are only partially functional, leaving many without essential medical care. WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy stressed the long-term consequences of these attacks, stating that the loss of health workers is not just a human tragedy but a critical blow to the country’s already struggling healthcare infrastructure.