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WHO Chief Condemns Strike Near Lebanon Hospital, Says "Healthcare Not a Target"

The WHO Director-General has condemned a strike that occurred just 100 meters from Lebanon's largest public hospital, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, which killed four people and injured 39. The UN chief stated that between March 28-31 alone, WHO verified 11 attacks on Lebanese healthcare facilities. Since late February, a total of 92 attacks on health infrastructure have been verified, resulting in 53 deaths. The condemnation comes as Israel's military leadership states it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah is removed.

Key Points: WHO Condemns Attack Near Lebanon Hospital, 4 Killed

  • Strike 100m from Lebanon's largest hospital
  • 4 killed, 39 injured in attack
  • WHO verified 92 attacks on health facilities since Feb
  • IDF says it won't leave S. Lebanon until Hezbollah threat gone
2 min read

'Healthcare is not a target': WHO chief condemns strike near Lebanon's largest public medical facility

WHO Director-General condemns strike 100m from Lebanon's largest public hospital, killing 4. UN reports 92 attacks on health facilities since February.

"Healthcare is #NotATarget - Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General"

Geneva, April 6

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the strike which took place merely 100 meters from Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Lebanon's largest public medical facility, and resulted in the death of 4 people, injuring 39 others and causing major damage to a nearby residential area.

His remarks come as Israel has expanded its military operations in Lebanon.

The UN chief in his statement on X said that while the hospital sustained no damage, he noted that between 28 and 31 March, the World Health Organisation verified 11 attacks affecting Lebanese health care facilities--averaging to a about 2 attacks every day, with 5 occurring on 28 March alone, that impacted facilities in Kfar Tibnit, Ghandouriyeh, Zawtar Al Gharbiyeh, Kfar Dajal, and Jazzine and resulted in 9 deaths and 5 injuries.

Underlining that since 28 February, WHO verified 92 attacks on health facilities, medical vehicles, personnel, and warehouses, that resulted in 53 deaths and injured 137 people, the UN Chief said that the acts cannot become the new norm and that the world must unequivocally reaffirm that the protection of health care is not optional, but a universal obligation and a measure of collective humanity. He said, "Healthcare is #NotATarget"

As tensions escalate across the region with Israel embroiled in several military operations, the Times of Israel reported on Sunday that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told the mayor of the northern border city of Nahariya that the military would not leave southern Lebanon until the threat of Hezbollah is removed.

"We hold the area and will not leave it until the direct threat to you is removed. This is at the top of our priority list," Zamir said as per IDF.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I agree healthcare must be protected, the article also mentions Hezbollah's threat from southern Lebanon. It's a complex situation. The safety of civilians on both sides is paramount, but how do you deal with groups that operate from civilian areas? A very difficult dilemma.
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Arjun K
92 attacks on health facilities since Feb? That's shocking and unacceptable. International laws are very clear on this. The world needs to speak with one voice to stop this. #NotATarget should be more than a hashtag.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in public health, this terrifies me. The Rafik Hariri hospital is Lebanon's largest public facility. If it's under threat, where do the common people go? This erosion of medical infrastructure will have consequences for generations.
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Vikram M
The UN and WHO statements are important, but where is the action? Condemnation alone doesn't save lives. There needs to be concrete diplomatic pressure and mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable, whoever they are.
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Karthik V
Reading this from India, it feels distant yet so close to home. We've seen conflicts where hospitals become battlegrounds. It's the poorest who suffer the most. Hope for peace and sanity to prevail.

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