Geneva: The escalating conflict in the Middle East is placing severe pressure on health systems across the region, with rising casualties, displacement and repeated attacks on healthcare facilities, the World Health Organization said.
In a statement, the WHO on Wednesday said the crisis, now more than ten days into the latest phase of hostilities, is not only increasing the number of injuries and deaths but also disrupting essential health services and creating serious public health risks.
According to national health authorities, Iran has reported more than 1,300 deaths and over 9,000 injuries since the conflict intensified. In Lebanon, at least 570 people have been killed and more than 1,400 injured. Israeli authorities have reported 15 deaths and 2,142 injuries.
The WHO also expressed concern about attacks on health facilities and medical workers. Since February 28, the agency has verified 18 attacks on healthcare in Iran, resulting in the deaths of eight health workers. In Lebanon, 25 attacks on health facilities have been recorded during the same period, leaving 16 people dead and 29 injured.
“These attacks not only cost lives but deprive communities of care when they need it most,” the agency said, stressing that health workers, patients and medical facilities must be protected under international humanitarian law.
The conflict has also triggered large-scale displacement, further worsening public health conditions. More than 100,000 people in Iran have relocated to safer areas within the country, while up to 700,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon.
Many displaced families are living in crowded shelters with limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, raising concerns about the spread of respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases and other communicable illnesses, particularly among women and children.
Environmental risks are also emerging. The WHO noted that fires at petroleum facilities and damaged infrastructure in Iran have exposed nearby communities to toxic smoke and pollutants that could lead to respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation and contamination of water and food sources.
Healthcare services across the region are also being disrupted. In Lebanon, 49 primary healthcare centres and five hospitals have closed following evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military.
In the occupied Palestinian territory, movement restrictions and checkpoint closures in the West Bank have delayed ambulance services and mobile clinics. In Gaza, medical evacuations have remained suspended since February 28, while hospitals continue to operate under severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies and fuel.
The crisis is also affecting humanitarian supply chains. Temporary airspace restrictions have slowed the movement of emergency medical supplies from the WHO’s global logistics hub in Dubai. More than 50 emergency shipments meant to support over 1.5 million people across 25 countries are currently facing delays.
The WHO warned that the escalation comes at a time when humanitarian needs in the Eastern Mediterranean region are already among the highest in the world. Around 115 million people in the region require humanitarian assistance, while health emergency appeals remain about 70 percent underfunded.
Calling for urgent action, the agency urged all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians and healthcare facilities, allow uninterrupted humanitarian access and pursue efforts to de-escalate the fighting.
