According to Lebanese media, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on social media that the attacks targeted medical facilities, healthcare personnel, equipment, and pharmaceutical warehouses in Lebanon.

Ghebreyesus warned that these actions cannot become commonplace and stressed the need for the international community to unequivocally reaffirm the protection of health services as a global obligation and a collective humanitarian responsibility.

He also urged all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and guarantee the safety of medical facilities, healthcare personnel, and patients.

“Healthcare is not a target,” he emphasized. According to Lebanese authorities, the Israeli offensive launched on March 2nd resulted in the deaths of 1,461 people, in addition to 4,430 wounded and the displacement of more than one million citizens. This escalation occurs within the context of regional tensions linked to the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran, an ally of the Hezbollah movement.

Israel maintains a military presence in areas of southern Lebanon, some under occupation for decades and others following more recent attacks.

abo/jav/mem/fm