Beirut: Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon have crippled the country's health services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Lebanon Emergency Situation Report. Since the escalation of attacks on March 2, access to healthcare in Lebanon has significantly deteriorated.
According to Anadolu Agency, the report highlights that 64 attacks on healthcare facilities have been identified, resulting in the deaths of at least 53 healthcare workers and injuries to 91 others. The report further details the damage to healthcare infrastructure, with nine hospitals affected, 50 primary healthcare centers closed, and four centers damaged.
Among the hospitals forced to close are Bahman Hospital, Al-Sahel Hospital, Bint Jbeil Public Hospital, Mays al-Jabal Public Hospital, and Al-Burj Hospital. The Lebanese Health Ministry announced on Friday evening that the death toll from the Israeli attacks has risen to 1,142, with 3,315 others wounded.
The Israeli military has continued its offensive in Lebanon with airstrikes and a ground campaign in the southern part of the country following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. This offensive occurs amid rising regional tensions following a joint US-Israel offensive on Iran on February 28, which resulted in over 1,340 casualties, including the death of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has responded to the offensive with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that host US military facilities. These retaliatory attacks have caused casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation.