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More than ten days into the latest escalation of conflict in the Middle East, health systems across the region are coming under increasing strain as casualties rise, people are displaced, and attacks on health facilities continue.

Health authorities reported heavy casualties in several countries. In Iran, more than 1,300 people have been killed and about 9,000 injured. Lebanon has reported at least 570 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries. In Israel, authorities recorded 15 deaths and 2,142 injuries.

The fighting is also disrupting the very services meant to save lives. Since February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 18 attacks on health care facilities in Iran, which left eight health workers dead. In Lebanon, 25 attacks on health facilities resulted in 16 deaths and 29 injuries.

Such attacks not only take lives but also prevent communities from receiving urgently needed medical care. Under international humanitarian law, health workers, patients, and medical facilities must be protected.

The conflict is also creating wider public health risks. In Iran, more than 100,000 people have moved to other parts of the country because of insecurity. In Lebanon, up to 700,000 people have been internally displaced, many staying in crowded shelters with poor sanitation and limited access to safe water.

These conditions increase the risk of respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and other contagious illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Environmental hazards are also raising concern. In Iran, petroleum fires and smoke from damaged infrastructure have exposed nearby communities to toxic pollutants that may cause breathing problems, eye and skin irritation, and contamination of water and food sources.

Access to medical services is also becoming more difficult. In Lebanon, 49 primary health care centers and five hospitals have closed following evacuation orders issued by Israel’s military, reducing the availability of essential services as medical needs continue to grow.

In the occupied Palestinian territory, tighter movement restrictions and checkpoint closures in the West Bank are delaying ambulances and mobile clinics from reaching patients.

In Gaza, medical evacuations have been suspended since February 28. Hospitals continue to operate under severe pressure amid shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel, which is now being rationed to prioritize emergency care, trauma treatment, maternal and newborn services, and the control of communicable diseases.

Temporary airspace restrictions have also disrupted the delivery of medical supplies from WHO’s global logistics hub in Dubai.

More than 50 emergency supply requests—intended to help over 1.5 million people in 25 countries—have been affected, creating major delays. Priority shipments include supplies for Al Arish, Egypt, to support the response in Gaza, as well as deliveries to Lebanon and Afghanistan.

The first shipment, containing cholera response supplies for Mozambique, is expected to leave the Dubai hub next week.