Attacks on Healthcare in Lebanon Continue at Alarming Rate : UN

New York, March 31 (QNA): The United Nations warned that attacks on the healthcare sector in Lebanon are continuing at an alarming rate, with the country experiencing 87 such attacks since the start of the latest escalation, resulting in the deaths of 52 health workers and injuries to 126 others.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seven incidents were recorded over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of at least nine health workers while performing their duties.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the strikes in southern Lebanon also hit ambulances, including vehicles transporting casualties from an earlier attack in Kfar Sir in Nabatieh governorate.

Despite these conditions, the UN and its partners continue to work closely with the Lebanese government to reach people in need, he added.

Dujarric noted that the WHO and other partners have provided more than 33,500 consultations to displaced people and provided essential medicine to over 22,500 people. He stressed the need to protect civilians, including humanitarian and health workers, as well as civilian infrastructure at all times, a matter that has become even more urgent in light of the Israeli government's announcements regarding the expansion of military operations in southern Lebanon.

In a related development, Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Imran Riza and WHO Representative Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar called for the protection of health workers and first responders in a statement issued over the weekend.

Three UNIFIL peacekeepers were also killed in two separate incidents during the past 24 hours, which was condemned by the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, while investigations into the two incidents continue.