The World Health Organization says the latest escalation of conflict in the Middle East is placing severe strain on health systems across the region, with rising deaths, injuries and displacement reported in multiple countries.
More than 10 days into the fighting, authorities report over 1300 deaths and 9000 injuries in Iran, at least 570 deaths and more than 1400 injuries in Lebanon, and 15 deaths with 2142 injuries in Israel.
The conflict is also disrupting critical medical services and humanitarian supply chains, while attacks on health facilities and displacement are increasing public health risks. The World Health Organization warns that without protection for health care and improved humanitarian access, already fragile health systems across the region will face further pressure.
In Iran, WHO has verified 18 attacks on health care since 28 February, resulting in 8 deaths among health workers. Over the same period in Lebanon, 25 attacks on health facilities have caused 16 deaths and 29 injuries. These incidents are reducing access to care at a time when demand for medical services is rapidly increasing.
Displacement is also adding to the health emergency. Current estimates indicate more than 100000 people in Iran have relocated to other areas due to insecurity, while up to 700000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon. Many displaced people are sheltering in crowded collective centres where access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is limited.
Health officials warn that these conditions increase the risk of respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases and other communicable illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Environmental hazards are also raising concerns. Petroleum fires and smoke from damaged infrastructure in Iran are exposing nearby communities to toxic pollutants that may cause breathing problems, eye and skin irritation, and contamination of water and food sources.
Access to health services is becoming increasingly constrained across several areas. In Lebanon, 49 primary health care centres and five hospitals have closed following evacuation orders issued by Israel’s military, reducing the availability of essential services as medical needs continue to grow.
In the occupied Palestinian territory, increased movement restrictions and checkpoint closures are delaying ambulance and mobile clinic access across several governorates in the West Bank. In Gaza, medical evacuations have remained suspended since 28 February while hospitals continue operating under severe strain amid shortages of medicines, medical supplies and fuel.
Fuel supplies are being rationed to prioritise emergency and trauma care, maternal and neonatal services, and treatment of communicable diseases.
The escalation is also affecting global humanitarian logistics. Temporary airspace restrictions have disrupted the movement of medical supplies from WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai. More than 50 emergency supply requests intended to assist over 1.5 million people across 25 countries are currently affected, creating significant backlogs.
Priority shipments include supplies planned for Al Arish in Egypt to support the Gaza response, as well as deliveries for Lebanon and Afghanistan. The first shipment from the hub is expected to depart in the coming week carrying cholera response supplies for Mozambique.
The World Health Organization says the crisis is unfolding at a time when humanitarian needs across the Eastern Mediterranean Region were already among the highest globally. An estimated 115 million people across the region require humanitarian assistance, representing nearly half of all people in need worldwide, while humanitarian health emergency appeals remain about 70% underfunded.
WHO is urging all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians and health facilities, allow sustained humanitarian access and pursue de-escalation to prevent further deterioration of health conditions across the region.
Photo credit: WHO
