“Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 1,974, injure 9,384,” says Health Minister.
On Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firass Abiad, confirmed that Israeli air raids have caused significant damage to dozens of medical centers across the country. The relentless strikes have severely affected Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure, making it difficult for medical teams to provide care to the growing number of casualties. Abiad reported that 97 medical and emergency personnel have tragically lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, further deepening the healthcare crisis. Hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured, as resources dwindle, and many facilities face electricity shortages, medical supply deficits, and an overall decline in their ability to function effectively.
The ongoing Hezbollah-Israeli conflict has caused extensive loss of life and devastation in Lebanon since October last year. According to Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad, 1,974 people have been killed, including 127 children and 261 women, with a staggering 9,384 others wounded during this period. The conflict, which began with escalating tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, has resulted in widespread damage, particularly to Lebanon’s already fragile healthcare system.
On Thursday, Abiad provided further details on the toll taken by Israeli airstrikes. He confirmed that the raids have caused substantial destruction to dozens of medical centers across Lebanon, making it even more difficult for healthcare workers to tend to the injured. Tragically, 97 medical and emergency personnel have been killed as a result of these attacks. The loss of life among these workers has only deepened the strain on Lebanon’s healthcare infrastructure, which was already buckling under the pressure of multiple crises before the conflict erupted.
Many hospitals have been directly targeted by Israeli strikes, further exacerbating the strain on the country’s health system. Hospitals across Lebanon are struggling with electricity shortages, a lack of medical supplies, and limited resources to treat the growing number of patients. The situation has become dire, with overwhelmed facilities facing impossible odds in their efforts to provide care to those in need.
In response to allegations from Israel regarding the presence of weapons in Lebanese hospitals, Abiad firmly dismissed these claims as baseless. He stressed that such accusations only add to the challenges faced by healthcare professionals trying to save lives in the midst of a conflict zone. The minister reiterated that hospitals should remain neutral zones, protected from military attacks, and not be used as battlegrounds for political or military agendas.
The health minister’s comments came in the context of continued Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese territory. Since September 23, the Israeli army has been conducting intensive air raids on Lebanon, marking a dangerous escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict along the Lebanese-Israeli border has intensified, with frequent exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters. These clashes have sparked fears of a broader conflict, particularly as the war between Hamas and Israel rages on in the Gaza Strip.
The most recent surge in fighting between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8, 2023, when both sides started exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border. What initially began as localized skirmishes has since escalated into a full-scale conflict, with both sides sustaining significant casualties. The fighting has had a devastating impact on civilians living in border areas, with many forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
The Lebanese government has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and its potential to drag the country further into the conflict. Already reeling from a series of political, economic, and social crises, Lebanon is ill-equipped to handle the additional burden of war. The healthcare system, in particular, has been severely impacted, with hospitals across the country struggling to cope with the influx of injured patients and the damage to vital infrastructure.
International humanitarian organizations have called for immediate efforts to de-escalate the conflict and to provide aid to those affected by the fighting. The United Nations has warned that the situation in Lebanon could rapidly deteriorate if the hostilities continue to escalate. Despite calls for restraint from the international community, both Hezbollah and Israel have shown little sign of backing down, and the risk of a wider conflict remains a pressing concern.
For Lebanon, the consequences of this conflict are profound. The country is already grappling with a crippling economic crisis, widespread political instability, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The healthcare system, which has been on the verge of collapse for years, is now facing its most severe test yet. With resources running out and hospitals overwhelmed, the ability of Lebanon to provide adequate medical care to its population is being severely compromised.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel also threatens to destabilize the broader region. As the violence continues to spiral, there are fears that other actors could be drawn into the fray, further complicating the already volatile situation. The ongoing war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza has only added to the tension, raising concerns that the conflict could spread across multiple fronts, engulfing the region in a larger war.
Despite the challenges, Lebanese authorities and healthcare workers continue to work tirelessly to care for those affected by the conflict. However, without immediate international intervention and support, the situation is likely to worsen, leaving Lebanon in a state of even greater crisis. As the fighting rages on, the human toll continues to mount, and the long-term consequences of the conflict are becoming increasingly dire for Lebanon and its people.