The World Health Organization on Thursday called on Israel to cancel an evacuation order issued for Beirut’s southern suburbs, warning that two major hospitals in the area could not safely relocate patients, reports AFP.
The Israeli military had warned residents of southern Beirut — long considered a stronghold of Hezbollah — of imminent strikes and ordered evacuations ahead of planned operations.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the affected Jnah district includes the Rafik Hariri University Hospital and Al Zahraa Hospital, which together were treating hundreds of patients, including dozens in intensive care.
He said around 450 patients were currently in critical care units, adding that no alternative facilities in the city were available to safely receive them.
“The evacuation of intensive care patients is operationally unfeasible,” he said, noting that both hospitals were already operating at full capacity, including treating casualties from Israeli strikes earlier this week.
Tedros urged Israel to reverse the order and ensure the protection of health facilities, medical staff, patients and civilians.
“I urge Israel to reverse this order and ensure the protection of all health facilities, health workers, patients and civilians,” he said.
Israel carried out its largest wave of strikes since the start of its war with Hezbollah earlier this week, killing more than 200 people, according to Lebanese authorities.
While evacuation warnings have regularly preceded strikes in Beirut’s southern districts, Thursday’s order also extended to areas near Lebanon’s only international airport, raising further alarm among residents and medical staff.
The Rafik Hariri University Hospital remains Lebanon’s largest public medical facility and a key trauma centre in the capital.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
