NEW YORK: The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that 37 out of 317 health centers in Lebanon have ceased operations following Israeli airstrikes that began on September 23.

In a statement shared on X, the organization emphasized the critical need to protect medical facilities. The WHO reported that these closures have left significant gaps in healthcare services across the country.

According to the WHO, access to health services is essential as access to food, water, and shelter. Lebanese media outlets indicate that the majority of the affected medical centers are located in southern Lebanon.

Since Monday, Israel has launched the most extensive and severe offensive against Lebanon, resulting in over 728 fatalities, including women and children, as well as 2,658 injuries and nearly 390,000 displaced persons, according to official Lebanese government data.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA