Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, on the attacks against healthcare in Lebanon, 3 October 2024

Beirut, 3 October 2024 - Since 8 October last year, at least 73 health workers have lost their lives in a series of attacks as the conflict in southern Lebanon intensified, with a sharp rise in the number of damaged health facilities. In the past 24 hours, 28 health workers have been killed, underscoring the alarming escalation of violence and its devastating impact on those providing life-saving care.

Yesterday’s strike on the relief center in central Beirut is another dangerous escalation. The targeting of health and relief operations is broadening, and this was a direct strike on a relief and civil defense operations center, which resulted in the deaths of paramedics, civil defense, and relief officers who were actively assisting displaced and affected communities.

Frontline workers, protected under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), are civilians risking their lives to help others and should never be targeted. These attacks disrupt essential services, delay critical care, and violate the right to healthcare, endangering both aid workers and the vulnerable populations they serve. Such actions are serious violations of IHL, undermining humanitarian efforts and threatening the safety of those providing life-saving assistance.