WHO: OVER 1,800 KILLED IN US‑ISRAEL‑IRAN WAR
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The World Health Organisation has raised fresh concerns over the humanitarian impact of the ongoing military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran, reporting that more than 1,800 people have been killed and 12,500 others injured in less than two weeks.
In a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that health systems across the Middle East are under “immense strain” and nearing the point of collapse.
The conflict intensified on February 28 after a major joint US-Israeli strike reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior officials, triggering a sharp escalation and forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
According to the WHO chief, available figures indicate that Iran has recorded more than 1,300 deaths and about 9,000 injuries, while Lebanon has reported at least 570 deaths and around 1,400 injuries. Israel, meanwhile, has recorded 15 deaths and approximately 2,142 injuries since the escalation began.
The displacement crisis is equally severe, with over 100,000 Iranians and as many as 700,000 Lebanese forced to abandon their homes. Many are now living in deteriorating conditions with limited access to clean water and sanitation, raising fears of widespread disease outbreaks, particularly among women and children.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned that healthcare infrastructure is increasingly being targeted amid the ongoing conflict.
Since the start of the offensive, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified multiple attacks on healthcare facilities in the conflict, documenting 18 attacks on health centres in Iran and 25 in Lebanon. These assaults have resulted in deaths and injuries among health workers and patients, further undermining access to medical care for civilians caught up in the fighting.
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“These attacks not only take lives but also deny communities essential medical care when they need it most,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.
The conflict began after the White House justified strikes on major Iranian cities, including Tehran, citing missile and nuclear threats.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israeli sites and US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Despite US claims of a “precision” operation, WHO reports indicate the strikes have had a disproportionate impact on the region’s most vulnerable populations.
“The urgency for action is critical to prevent the collapse of already fragile health systems,” Tedros warned, calling for unhindered humanitarian access and an immediate de-escalation of hostilities.
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