WHO Confirms Killing of 14 Health Workers in Lebanon, France Urges Ceasefire

The World Health Organisation has confirmed the deaths of 14 health workers in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, in what marks a tragic escalation of the ongoing Middle East crisis.

According to a statement released by WHO on Saturday, 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses were killed in a strike late on Friday on the Bourj Qalaouiyeh primary healthcare centre. Hours earlier, two paramedics lost their lives in attacks on a health facility in Al Sowana.

The organisation noted that these incidents highlight the ongoing assault on Lebanon’s healthcare system, which is crucial for the populations it serves. Since March 2, WHO has verified 27 attacks on healthcare in Lebanon, resulting in 30 deaths and 35 injuries, including the events of Friday.

In the statement, WHO condemned the tragic loss of life and emphasised that health workers must always be protected. According to international humanitarian law, medical personnel and facilities should never be attacked or militarised.

The organisation warned that the intensification of conflict in Lebanon and the broader Middle East increases the likelihood of such tragedies, calling for urgent action to de-escalate the crisis and protect the health of people throughout the region.

Meanwhile, France has issued a stern warning to Israel, urging it to halt its ongoing military operations in Lebanon. In a statement released via his official X handle on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the urgent need to prevent further escalation in the region.

“I met yesterday with President Aoun, Prime Minister Salam, and Parliament Speaker Berri,” Macron said, highlighting his recent diplomatic engagements in Lebanon. He emphasised that everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from sinking into chaos.

The French President called for restraint on all sides of the conflict, stating that Hezbollah must immediately halt its reckless escalation. He added that Israel must abandon any large-scale offensive and stop its massive strikes, as hundreds of thousands of people have already fled the bombings.

Macron noted that Lebanon’s executive branch is open to negotiations, signalling willingness for direct discussions with Israel. He called on Israel to seize this opportunity to launch talks and a ceasefire, find a lasting solution, and allow Lebanese authorities to fulfil their commitments in support of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

To facilitate progress, France has offered to host the talks in Paris. Macron affirmed that France is ready to facilitate these discussions by hosting them in the French capital.

The call comes amid escalating violence in Lebanon, where airstrikes and military operations have forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, raising international concerns about a widening humanitarian crisis.