NEVA, Switzerland: The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed deep concern over Lebanon’s struggling health system as Israeli airstrikes and ground raids intensified.
He warned that the country’s hospitals were overwhelmed by the influx of injured patients, with Lebanon’s health infrastructure already weakened by prior crises.
Since Israel redirected its focus from Gaza to securing its northern border with Lebanon, the death toll has surpassed 1,000 in just a week. WHO is scaling up its efforts in coordination with Lebanon’s health ministry, ensuring medical supplies reach hospitals and health workers are trained for mass casualty events. However, Tedros emphasized that the health system is still in dire need of additional support.
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In discussions with Arab League ambassadors, Tedros stressed the importance of protecting civilians, including refugees, and providing essential health care. He also reiterated the urgent need for peace to prevent further escalation, warning that continued violence would have catastrophic consequences for the entire region. “The best medicine is peace,” Tedros concluded.
