WHO Urges Immediate Halt to Middle East Fighting Warns of Growing Health Crisis
LONDON – The World Health Organization (WHO) called on Thursday for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East, warning that a regional health crisis is rapidly worsening.
Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that health systems across the region are under severe pressure, and medical facilities must be protected as safe zones.
Health Systems Under Strain
“The situation has been challenging for some time, but today we are witnessing a full-scale regional health crisis unfolding in multiple areas,” Balkhy said. She highlighted that the crisis extends beyond casualties, with access to medical care collapsing in many regions.
Officials are also preparing for risks related to nuclear sites and warned that attacks on water desalination plants could have catastrophic consequences.
Displacement and Long-Term Impact
Millions of people have been displaced in recent weeks, including roughly 3.2 million in Iran and over 1 million in Lebanon. Balkhy warned that the long-term effects of the conflict may include higher maternal mortality, worsening mental health, and a large number of children without families or access to education.
She also expressed concern about nuclear facilities being struck, whether deliberately or accidentally, citing past incidents targeting such sites.
Recent Escalations
Recent fighting in the region includes Israeli airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon after cross-border attacks by Hezbollah, alongside a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and other regional countries.
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