WHO reports 12 health workers killed in Lebanon strike

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that 12 healthcare workers were killed in a strike on a primary healthcare center in Bourj

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that 12 healthcare workers were killed in a strike on a primary healthcare center in Bourj Qalaouiyeh, southern Lebanon, late Friday. The victims included doctors, nurses, and paramedics, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it a “tragic development” in the region. In a separate attack earlier the same day, two paramedics were killed at another medical facility in Al Sowana.

The strikes come amid a widespread military campaign by Israel against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. The campaign has reportedly resulted in over 770 deaths and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets across the border.

The attacks on medical personnel and facilities have raised alarms among international organizations. The WHO emphasized that targeting health workers violates international humanitarian law and endangers critical services for civilians in conflict zones.

This latest violence underscores the rapidly deteriorating situation in southern Lebanon, where hospitals and clinics are struggling to continue operations amid the ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire. Relief agencies are urging all parties to respect the safety of healthcare providers and ensure that medical care remains accessible for those affected by the conflict.