The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that the expanding conflict in the Middle East is increasingly affecting healthcare services across the region.
Following a deadly incident involving healthcare workers in southern Lebanon, Ghebreyesus said in a statement on Tuesday that “the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East is increasingly impacting health services across the region.”
He expressed deep sadness over developments in Lebanon, where three health workers were killed and six others injured while attempting to rescue wounded individuals after explosions in the southern district of Tyre.
Ghebreyesus cautioned that the situation presents growing risks for medical personnel operating in conflict zones.
“The risk that more health workers will be counted among the casualties is high. This must be avoided at all costs,” he said, stressing that healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses must be allowed to carry out their life-saving duties, especially during crises.
He called on all parties involved in the fighting to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of medical staff, facilities, and patients. “Warring parties must adhere to international humanitarian law and protect health workers, institutions, and patients,” he emphasized.
Appealing for restraint amid escalating regional tensions, Ghebreyesus stated: “I call for maximum restraint and for the voices of wisdom and peace to rise above the noise of bombs.”
Tensions have intensified across the region following large-scale strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday. Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as Gulf states that host U.S. military assets.
