The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has denounced recent assaults on medical personnel in southern Lebanon, reporting that nine paramedics have been killed across five separate incidents.
In a message posted on X on Saturday, Ghebreyesus stated that the recent attacks have resulted in injuries to seven medics who were on duty.
He noted that with the new fatalities, March now sees a total of 51 health personnel killed in Lebanon, making it one of the deadliest months for healthcare workers in the country since WHO began monitoring such incidents in October 2023.
Additionally, Ghebreyesus highlighted that over 120 health workers have been injured since violence escalated on March 2, with the majority of injuries reported in southern Lebanon.
Detailing the recent incidents, he explained that emergency response teams were targeted while attending to crises in various villages. In Zoutar al- Sharqiya, five health workers lost their lives, and two others were injured, with one in critical condition. In Kfar Tibnit, two health workers died and three were hurt.
He also mentioned that a paramedic was killed while working at a health facility in Ghandouriyeh, and another in Jezzine. Further, two additional medics were injured in an assault on Kfar Dajjal.
Ghebreyesus cautioned that these repeated assaults are critically handicapping healthcare services in the region. Four hospitals and 51 primary healthcare centres have been compelled to shut down, while numerous others are functioning at diminished capacity due to destruction.
"Health workers are safeguarded by international humanitarian law and should never be the target of attacks," he emphasized, urging for an immediate cessation of hostilities against healthcare personnel.
These incidents occur within the context of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, which has intensified in recent weeks and spread across several nations in the Middle East. Previous reports from PREMIUM TIMES indicated that the conflict flared into a full-scale war following joint military actions by the US and Israel against Iran in late February, which subsequently led to retaliatory strikes throughout the region.
The violence has increasingly damaged civilian infrastructure, including essential health facilities and energy installations, prompting significant concerns regarding access to crucial services. Reports from Reuters suggest that Lebanon alone has recorded over 1,100 fatalities since the beginning of March, including children, with numerous health workers also impacted.
Throughout the region, casualties have escalated, with thousands killed and many others injured or displaced.
In light of these developments, the WHO has consistently underscored the need for an immediate halt to attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, as such violence exacerbates humanitarian crises and deteriorates already fragile health systems. Ghebreyesus reiterated the necessity for all involved parties to prioritize the safety of civilians and medical staff, concluding that the only way to stop these tragedies is to immediately cease attacks on healthcare services.
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