Lebanon Strike Kills 12 Health Workers
A strike on a primary healthcare centre in southern Lebanon killed 12 health workers, according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said the victims included doctors, paramedics and nurses. The incident was reported late on March 13 and has added to concern over attacks affecting medical services during the wider regional conflict.
Lebanon Health Centre Strike Kills 12
Tedros said the strike hit the Bourj Qalaouiyeh primary healthcare centre in southern Lebanon. He stated that the WHO had verified the deaths of 12 health workers at that facility. In a separate incident cited by him, two paramedics were also reported killed earlier the same day in an attack on a health facility in Al Sowana, taking the total number of health-worker deaths over the previous 24 hours to 14.
WHO Chief Raises Alarm Over Health Worker Deaths
The WHO chief described the deaths as a serious development in the escalating Middle East crisis. His statement highlighted the growing pressure on healthcare systems in conflict-hit areas, where medical staff and treatment centres are increasingly exposed to direct danger. Attacks on healthcare infrastructure can sharply reduce access to emergency treatment and disrupt already strained local medical services.
Southern Lebanon Conflict Deepens Humanitarian Pressure
The report came amid an expanded Israeli bombing campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and continued cross-border fire. The broader fighting has caused heavy casualties and large-scale displacement, while repeated exchanges of fire have increased pressure on civilian infrastructure. The latest strike on a healthcare centre is likely to intensify scrutiny of civilian and medical-site protection as the conflict continues.
