The World Health Organization warns that escalating conflict in the Middle East is disrupting hospitals, displacing hundreds of thousands, and increasing public health risks across the region.
Health authorities across the Middle East are facing mounting pressure as the latest escalation of conflict spreads humanitarian and public health risks across the region, according to a new report from the World Health Organization.
In its first situation report on the crisis, the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office said the conflict is already placing severe strain on hospitals, emergency services, and public health systems across several countries.
National authorities report 1,255 deaths and more than 15,100 injuries in Iran, while in Lebanon officials report 634 deaths and more than 1,586 injuries.
The conflict has also triggered large-scale displacement. According to the report:
Many displaced families are now sheltering in crowded collective facilities, raising concerns about deteriorating public health conditions and the potential spread of disease.
The WHO has verified multiple attacks on health services during the escalation.
According to the report:
Such attacks not only cause immediate casualties but also reduce access to care for entire communities, particularly as hospitals and clinics close or evacuate.
In Lebanon, 48 primary health care centres and five hospitals have already closed following evacuation orders.
The health consequences of the conflict are now affecting neighboring countries.
In Iraq, road closures are disrupting ambulance transport and delaying deliveries of essential medicines.
In Syria, increased arrivals from Lebanon are placing additional pressure on health services in border regions.
Movement restrictions are also affecting patient referrals and emergency transport in the West Bank, where checkpoints are delaying ambulance access.
Meanwhile, border crossings into Gaza Strip remain largely closed.
The WHO also warned about emerging environmental health risks linked to the conflict.
Strikes on oil storage facilities and refineries in Iran, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about air pollution and wider environmental exposure across the region.
Across Gulf countries, health systems remain operational but are moving into preparedness mode.
Authorities across the Gulf Cooperation Council have activated emergency response plans and are monitoring potential environmental and radiological risks linked to the conflict.
The WHO said the situation remains highly fluid and warned that continued escalation could place further strain on already fragile health systems.
Public health officials emphasized that protecting health workers, medical facilities, and humanitarian access remains essential as the crisis unfolds.
Note: The WHO report focuses primarily on countries within its Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office where health system impacts have been documented.
Information on the situation in Israel is not detailed in the WHO regional situation report. However, according to Israeli authorities and publicly available reports cited by international media, the escalation has resulted in casualties and injuries inside Israel.
Israeli officials have reported 15 deaths and more than 2,100 injuries linked to the latest hostilities.
Israel’s health system remains operational, though emergency services and hospitals have been managing a large number of patients since the beginning of the escalation.
