Thursday, April 30, 2026

World News

Hospitals and staff increasingly targeted due to Middle East conflict, WHO reports

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over a growing number of attacks on healthcare facilities and workers worldwide, reporting a sharp increase following the latest escalation in the Middle East conflict.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Geneva: According to the WHO, the global average of attacks on medical facilities and healthcare personnel has risen from 3.7 incidents per day to 4.3 since airstrikes were launched by the United States and Israel on Iran at the end of February.

The UN health agency highlighted the severe consequences of these attacks, noting that at least 50 private hospitals and health centers have shut down since the conflict began. Additionally, 16 hospitals across the region have sustained damage, further straining already fragile healthcare systems.

The situation is particularly dire in Gaza, where the WHO stated that only one hospital is currently functioning at full capacity, significantly limiting access to essential medical services for civilians.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly condemned the attacks, calling for accountability and the protection of healthcare infrastructure. He also pointed to Lebanon as a critical concern, where 149 attacks on healthcare facilities have been documented.

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