Amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, fresh reports indicate the killing of more health workers, intensifying concerns over the safety of medical personnel in conflict zones.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said in a post on X that “more tragedy” unfolded in southern Lebanon, where nine paramedics were killed in five separate attacks on health care facilities and teams.
According to Tedros, the latest deaths bring the number of health personnel killed this month to 51, with seven more medics wounded in the strikes.
He noted that March has become the second-deadliest month for health workers in Lebanon since WHO began tracking such attacks in October 2023. More than 120 health workers have reportedly been injured since the escalation began on March 2, with most incidents concentrated in southern Lebanon.
Detailing the incidents, Tedros said medical teams were struck while on duty across five villages. In Zoutar al-Sharqiya, five health workers were killed and two injured, one critically. Two more were killed and three wounded in Kfar Tibnit. Additional fatalities were reported in Ghandouriyeh and Jezzine, while two medics were wounded in Kfar Dajjal.
He warned that repeated attacks on health care are severely disrupting essential services, with four hospitals and 51 primary health care centres now closed. Several others are partially damaged and operating at reduced capacity.
“Health workers are protected under international humanitarian law and should never be targeted,” Tedros said, urging an immediate halt to such attacks. “The only way to end these tragedies is to end attacks on health care, NOW!”
However, Tedros did not name those responsible for the attacks. His omission drew criticism from some users on X, who questioned why those responsible for the killings were not explicitly identified.