Lebanon’s MoFA Files Complaint with UN Security Council over Israeli Attacks on Health Sector.

Beirut: The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants announced it has filed a complaint with the UN Security Council regarding Israeli assaults on the health sector in Lebanon from October 8, 2023, to October 24, 2024. The complaint was submitted through Lebanon's permanent mission to the UN in New York. According to National news agency - Lebanon, the complaint details 281 reported attacks on hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and emergency services, resulting in the deaths of 163 healthcare workers and injuring hundreds more. Lebanon's complaint highlights the catastrophic impact of these attacks on healthcare, particularly in targeted and overcrowded displacement areas. The assaults have caused significant displacement among doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, leading to a severe shortage of medical personnel, essential medications, and medical supplies. This decline in healthcare quality has adversely affected patients, especially mothers and newborns, while increasing the demand for mental health services, particularly for children affected by the conflict. In light of the ongoing war, Lebanon warned of the serious risks to its health sector and called on the international community to enhance support and provide urgent assistance to protect health infrastructure. The ministry urged UN member states to condemn Israel, hold it accountable, and take effective steps to prevent attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, emphasizing that such actions amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of healthcare institutions and workers during armed conflicts.