18.03.2026 23:09
World Health Organization Director-General Ghebreyesus emphasized the negative impact of conflicts in the Middle East on healthcare services. Expressing his concerns about the increased health risks due to civilian casualties and displacements in the region, Ghebreyesus stated, "The conflict in the Middle East continues to affect the health of people across the region."
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "The conflict in the Middle East continues to affect the health of people across the region."
During the WHO's weekly press conference, Ghebreyesus made evaluations. He stated that more than 1,400 people have died in Iran, about 900 in Lebanon, and 15 in Israel, and that thousands of people have been injured in the three countries. He also mentioned that approximately 3.2 million people have been displaced in Iran and about 600,000 in Lebanon.
"CONTINUES TO AFFECT THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE IN THE REGION"
Ghebreyesus pointed out that many people are living in overcrowded shelters with the potential to rapidly increase health risks, stating, "The conflict in the Middle East continues to affect the health of people across the region."
He indicated that the pressure on health services has increased in areas particularly affected by conflicts and violent protests in Iraq, and also mentioned that more than 100,000 people have entered Syria from Lebanon.
"INTERNATIONAL LAW HAS BEEN VIOLATED"
Ghebreyesus emphasized that attacks on health services are one of the most concerning developments, stating that these attacks violate international law.
He drew attention to the fact that airspace closures and congestion in maritime transport have reduced the amount of supplies reaching the WHO's supply center in Dubai, stating that they have activated emergency plans and identified alternative entry points for resupplying the center.
Ghebreyesus added that they are considering charter flight options to deliver supplies for critical emergencies and that they expect operations to continue even if delivery times are extended.
US-ISRAEL ATTACKS ON IRAN
Israel and the US launched a military attack on Iran on February 28 while negotiations were ongoing between the Tehran and Washington administrations.
Iran responded with attacks on targets it identified in some regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, where US bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the US-Israel attacks, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, along with many high-ranking officials, was killed.
According to Iranian officials, the death toll from the US-Israel attacks has exceeded 1,348, and the number of injured has surpassed 17,000.