The World Health Organization has reported that nine paramedics were killed and seven others injured in a series of attacks on healthcare services in southern Lebanon, describing the incident as “more tragedy” in the escalating conflict.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the casualties occurred across five separate locations, where medical teams came under attack while carrying out their duties. The agency warned that the repeated strikes are severely undermining access to care in affected communities.
According to the WHO, the violence has forced the closure of at least four hospitals and more than 50 primary healthcare centres, with several other facilities operating only partially.
The latest deaths add to a growing toll among medical personnel since hostilities intensified earlier this month, raising concerns over the safety of frontline responders and compliance with international humanitarian protections for healthcare workers.
