Beirut, March 31: Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, United Nations humanitarian workers have reported a significant increase in attacks on healthcare facilities in Lebanon, coinciding with growing disruptions to humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that assaults on healthcare facilities, ambulances, and medical personnel in Lebanon have escalated at an alarming rate.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported seven incidents over the weekend alone, resulting in the deaths of at least nine healthcare workers on duty.
In southern Lebanon, OCHA indicated that these attacks have damaged ambulances, including vehicles transporting injured individuals from an assault in the town of Kfar Sir in the Nabatiyeh Governorate. Since the onset of rising tensions, there have been 87 attacks on healthcare facilities, leading to the deaths of 52 healthcare workers and injuries to 126 others.
In a joint statement released over the weekend, Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, along with Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO’s representative in Lebanon, emphasized the need for the protection of healthcare workers and first responders, asserting that medical staff and facilities should never be targeted.
Lebanese authorities reported that at least 96 people were killed over the weekend, bringing the total death toll to 1,238 since the escalation of tensions, with over 3,500 individuals injured.
Despite the deteriorating security situation, OCHA stated that its office and partners are working with the government to reach those in need. The WHO and health partners have provided medical advice to over 33,500 homeless individuals and delivered essential medicines to more than 22,500 people.
OCHA also highlighted that in the occupied Palestinian territories, lethal attacks on civilians continue in both Gaza and the West Bank, with increasing restrictions on humanitarian efforts.
Residential areas in Gaza have faced airstrikes and shelling. An international NGO announced on Monday that they are considering filing an appeal with the Israeli High Court of Justice to challenge Israel’s new NGO registration system, claiming it further diminishes their ability to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
OCHA noted that international NGOs play a crucial role in humanitarian assistance, collectively providing nearly $1 billion in aid to these regions each year. The new registration requirements are among several factors undermining access to humanitarian services.
According to reports from the Xinhua News Agency, OCHA has urged Israeli authorities to facilitate the rapid and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian relief and to amend policies that hinder humanitarian efforts. Additionally, OCHA stressed the importance of ensuring that humanitarian organizations can operate in accordance with humanitarian principles.
OCHA reiterated that civilians must always be kept safe and that the use of lethal force in law enforcement should only be a last resort. Those responsible for unlawful attacks should be held accountable.
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