Attacks on hospitals and health workers jeopardize provision of health in Lebanon

A Descent into Chaos: The Israeli Strikes on Lebanon’s Healthcare System

Lebanon has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis as Israeli military strikes intensify, targeting hospitals and health workers with alarming frequency. The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon has led to a dire situation where medical facilities are being shut down, and healthcare professionals are either killed or forced to flee for their lives.

Since the onset of the conflict, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 23 attacks on healthcare in Lebanon, resulting in devastating consequences for the region's healthcare infrastructure. This surge in violence has left medical teams scrambling to provide even the most basic services, plunging the already fragile healthcare system into chaos.

The Human Toll: Fatalities and Injuries Among Health Workers

The humanitarian cost of these attacks is staggering. At least 76 health workers have been killed, and 57 injured in the past year alone, with many more reported missing. The Lebanese health ministry has confirmed that 40 paramedics, firefighters, and healthcare workers were killed in Israeli attacks over a three-day period, making it challenging to care for wounded individuals.

The Islamic Health Society (IHS), a prominent organization providing emergency services and managing medical facilities, has suffered the most. Over 85 personnel have perished, with more than 150 sustaining injuries. The IHS Civil Defence’s media relations chief, Bilal Assaf, recounted the dire situation faced by firefighters who were confronted with unrelenting strikes. Despite their efforts to help civilians, the team was eventually decimated when an airstrike obliterated their refuge.

Targeted Attacks on Medical Facilities

The Israeli military has intensified its strikes on search-and-rescue teams, medical facilities, and hospitals throughout Lebanon. These assaults have resulted in numerous casualties among medical personnel and emergency responders, severely disrupting access to emergency services and healthcare in many southern regions.

In one particularly heinous attack, an airstrike hit the Baraachit Emergency Centre in the Bint Jbeil area, claiming the lives of at least 10 firefighters. Prior to this assault, the firefighters were confronting a dire situation; civilians remained in the vicinity, while Israeli troops barred the team from undertaking rescue operations.

The Impact on Healthcare Services

The relentless bombardment has forced several hospitals to shut down temporarily or permanently. At least four hospitals in Lebanon announced on Friday that they were suspending work due to Israeli strikes. The four closures capped two weeks of Israeli strikes on hospitals and healthcare workers, which have shuttered at least 37 healthcare centers and clinics across the country.

The suspension of these critical services has left thousands of patients without access to necessary treatments. In some cases, patients who were in the midst of receiving care were left stranded. The WHO reported that 37 out of 317 health centers have shut down and no longer provide services due to the recent escalation in violence.

A Desperate Situation for Medical Staff

Medical staff in Lebanon are facing a desperate situation. Paramedics report receiving unusual phone calls featuring a voice speaking Arabic, instructing them to vacate their medical facilities. These calls have been specifically aimed at medical personnel, adding to the already heightened sense of fear and panic among healthcare workers.

Paramedics describe a disturbing trend: whenever they arrive at a site to conduct rescue operations, Israeli airstrikes seem to follow. In one instance, an ambulance was struck immediately after the team exited the vehicle, leaving the paramedics to face the horrors of their burning vehicle.

International Concerns and Criticisms

The international community has expressed deep concern over the targeted attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel. The UN commission of inquiry recently stated that Israel was executing "a concerted policy to obliterate Gaza's healthcare system," accusing it of "war crimes and crimes against humanity through relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities." Israel has dismissed the commission’s conclusions, but the devastation in Lebanon remains a stark reminder of the humanitarian crisis unfolding.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry Response

The Lebanese health ministry has condemned the strikes as a "massacre" and accused Israel of committing "a war crime" by targeting medical teams and paramedics. The health ministry has requested all hospitals to halt surgeries and make room for the treatment of the wounded amid Israeli attacks.

Conclusion: A Call for Action

The attacks on hospitals and health workers in Lebanon are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on civilian populations. As the conflict continues, it is imperative for the international community to take immediate action to protect medical personnel and infrastructure.

The people of Lebanon deserve access to basic healthcare services without fear of retaliation. It is time for all parties involved to recognize the imperative of protecting healthcare workers and facilities, ensuring that those who are most vulnerable do not suffer the brunt of military actions.

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References:

1. Health workers in Lebanon describe deadly Israeli attacks on colleagues
2. Lebanese healthcare workers fearful as growing numbers killed in strikes
3. Attacks on Health Care in Lebanon
4. Lebanon's emergency workers pay a deadly price amid Israeli attacks
5. Lebanon hospitals close as Israeli strikes hit health facilities