WHO Protests as Israeli Airstrikes Claim Lives of 14 Health Workers in Lebanon

Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has condemned the tragedy involving the deaths of 14 healthcare workers in southern Lebanon, emphasizing that these incidents represent a grave escalation in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war.

In a statement made on X on Saturday, Ghebreyesus reported that the fatalities occurred within a mere 24-hour period following Israeli military strikes targeting healthcare facilities in the region.

The WHO has confirmed that 12 medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, lost their lives in an airstrike on the Bourj Qalaouiyeh Primary Healthcare Centre late on Friday. Earlier, two paramedics were also killed in strikes on a medical facility in Al Sowana.

Ghebreyesus stated, "The killings over the last 24 hours of 14 health workers in southern Lebanon are a tragic advancement in the escalating crisis in the Middle East."

He highlighted the increasing strain on Lebanon's healthcare system due to the intensifying hostilities, noting that since March 2, the WHO has documented 27 assaults on medical facilities in Lebanon, which have resulted in 30 deaths and 35 injuries, including the latest incidents.

In his remarks, Ghebreyesus said, "These events underscore the persistent assault on Lebanon's healthcare system, which is vital for the communities it serves."

He emphasized that healthcare workers, patients, and medical facilities must be afforded protection, asserting that attacks on healthcare infringe upon international humanitarian law. "Healthcare personnel and installations should never be a target or militarized," he asserted, warning that an escalation in conflict in Lebanon and the broader Middle East could lead to further tragedies unless immediate measures are taken to de-escalate the crisis.

The recent assaults coincide with heightened worries regarding the health implications of the ongoing war in the region. The WHO noted that temporary airspace restrictions due to the conflict are hindering the distribution of emergency medical supplies from its logistics hub in Dubai.

In a recent communique, the agency reported that over 50 urgent supply requests meant to assist more than 1.5 million individuals across 25 countries have been delayed. Key shipments affected include medical supplies destined for Al Arish in Egypt to aid the Gaza response, as well as crucial medical items for Lebanon and Afghanistan.

The organization has also confirmed the anticipated dispatch of a shipment containing cholera response supplies for Mozambique in the upcoming week.

With humanitarian agencies warning of increasing displacement due to ongoing hostilities, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees revealed that approximately 3.2 million individuals have been displaced in Iran since joint US and Israeli strikes commenced on February 28. Many of those displaced are reportedly fleeing Tehran and other major urban areas for safer rural locations.

Should the conflict persist, the agency warns that the number of displaced persons is likely to rise, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Ghebreyesus reiterated the WHO's plea for all parties involved in the conflict to place civilian safety at the forefront and safeguard healthcare services. He insisted that both governments and armed factions should adhere to international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of health workers and facilities.

The WHO has continuously urged all parties to protect civilians and healthcare, facilitate ongoing humanitarian access, and strive for de- escalation so communities can initiate recovery and progress towards peace.

The latest outbreak of war in Lebanon was triggered by Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, following the Israeli assassination of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini in missile strikes. Hezbollah is a Shia militia and political entity in Lebanon aligned with Iran. The ongoing US and Israeli military actions against Iran have resulted in over 1,400 fatalities, primarily among the Iranian populace.