Recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon have had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare system. According to Youssef Bakhash, head of the Lebanese Doctors’ Syndicate, more than two dozen hospitals have been affected, with five hospitals completely out of operation and 22 others partially damaged.
Tragically, around 150 healthcare workers, including four doctors, have lost their lives while carrying out their medical duties. Additionally, over 100 primary care centers have been forced to close, and 150 ambulances have been destroyed as a result of the strikes.
Bakhash highlighted that these attacks on medical facilities and healthcare workers have been escalating since September, coinciding with increased hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. He expressed concern that the goal of these attacks is to cripple the healthcare sector in Lebanon.
One particularly devastating incident occurred near Beirut’s Rafik Hariri University Hospital, where an Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, numerous injuries, and significant damage to the hospital. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted a Hezbollah terrorist site in the vicinity.
Furthermore, allegations made by the Israeli military regarding a Hezbollah bunker beneath the Sahel General hospital were vehemently denied by hospital officials. The military claimed the bunker contained valuable assets and served as a financial hub for Hezbollah, but these claims could not be independently verified.
Fadi Fakhry Alame, a director at the Sahel General hospital, pointed out that similar accusations have been made by the Israeli military in Gaza before targeting hospitals. He expressed dismay at the recurrence of such baseless allegations in Lebanon.
