Since October 7, 2023, Lebanon has experienced an alarming escalation in attacks on health care, with nearly half of these assaults proving fatal to health workers or patients. As of November 21, 2024, 47% of the 137 recorded attacks in Lebanon resulted in at least one death—a staggering percentage unmatched in any active conflict worldwide.
This figure starkly contrasts with the global average of 13.3% for fatal health care attacks across 13 other conflict zones, including Ukraine, Sudan, and the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). For instance, in the oPt, 9.6% of health care incidents led to fatalities during the same period.
Casualties and Impact
Between October 7, 2023, and November 18, 2024, 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 injured in Lebanon. These incidents are part of a broader crisis affecting the region, where 1,401 attacks on health care were reported across Lebanon, oPt, and Israel, including:
- 1,196 attacks in oPt
- 137 in Lebanon
- 68 in Israel
Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon, called the pattern deeply troubling:
“Depriving civilians of access to lifesaving care and targeting health providers is a breach of international humanitarian law. Health facilities must never be used for military purposes, and those responsible for violations must be held accountable.”
The Toll on Lebanon’s Health System
The attacks have crippled Lebanon’s health care infrastructure. Currently, 15 of the country’s 153 hospitals are either non-operational or functioning at limited capacity. For example, Nabatieh Governorate has lost 40% of its hospital bed capacity.
These assaults primarily target health personnel (68%), transport systems (63%), and health facilities (26%). Dr. Abubakar highlighted the cascading effects:
“When health workers lose their lives or facilities are destroyed, the repercussions ripple through weeks and months. Patients go untreated, children miss immunizations, and women lose access to critical maternal and reproductive care.”
Global Context and Legal Protections
The scale of attacks on health care in Lebanon underscores the need for adherence to international humanitarian law, which mandates protection for health workers and facilities during armed conflicts. WHO Regional Director Dr. Hanan Balkhy emphasized:
“Indiscriminate attacks on health care are violations of human rights and international law. This cannot become the new normal—not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, not anywhere.”
Globally, 1,246 attacks on health care have been reported in 2024, spanning 13 countries or territories. These attacks resulted in 730 deaths and 1,255 injuries among health workers and patients.
Long-term Implications
Lebanon, a country with a relatively advanced health care system, is already reeling from multiple crises. The loss of health care workers—many of whom represent years of training and investment—further jeopardizes its ability to recover and rebuild.
“Beyond the immediate tragedy, these attacks diminish a fragile nation’s capacity to deliver health care post-conflict,” Dr. Balkhy warned.
Monitoring and Advocacy
The WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) continues to collect data to identify patterns of violence and advocate for accountability. Established in 2017, the SSA aims to strengthen health care protection globally, ensuring that such devastating trends are addressed and mitigated.
The ongoing crisis in Lebanon is a stark reminder of the critical need to uphold international norms and safeguard health care systems in conflict zones worldwide.
