WHO Warns of Mounting Casualties and Health Crisis in US-Israel Offensive Against Iran

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, reporting that the ongoing joint military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran has resulted in significant casualties and is pushing regional health systems toward collapse.

In a statement released via his official X account on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus detailed the heavy toll of the conflict, which erupted on February 28 following a large-scale strike that reportedly killed top Iranian officials. According to the WHO’s latest figures, the conflict has claimed over 1,800 lives and left more than 12,500 injured in less than two weeks.

The organization provided a breakdown of casualties across the affected nations. Iran has been the hardest hit, with more than 1,300 fatalities and approximately 9,000 injuries. In Lebanon, at least 570 people have been killed and around 1,400 wounded. Meanwhile, Israel has reported 15 deaths and roughly 2,142 injuries.

Beyond the immediate casualties, the offensive has triggered a major displacement crisis. The WHO estimates that over 100,000 people have been displaced within Iran, while up to 700,000 Lebanese citizens have been forced from their homes. Tedros warned that many of these displaced populations are now living in precarious conditions, lacking adequate access to clean water and sanitation, which raises the risk of disease outbreaks among vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

A central concern for the WHO is the increasing number of attacks on medical infrastructure. Tedros noted that since the start of the offensive, the organization has verified 25 attacks on health facilities in Lebanon, 18 in Iran, and two in Israel.

“These attacks not only claim lives but also deprive communities of critical care when they need it most,” the WHO chief stated, emphasizing that such actions violate international law and exacerbate the suffering of civilian populations.

The conflict began after the White House authorized strikes on Iranian cities, citing alleged missile and nuclear threats. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli sites and US military installations across the region, including in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

While the US has characterized its military action as a “precision” operation, the WHO’s report highlights a widespread impact on civilians and the essential services they rely on.

“The urgency for action is critical to prevent the collapse of already fragile health systems,” Tedros warned, calling on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, ensure unimpeded access for aid workers, and pursue an immediate de-escalation of hostilities.