The National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, warned of the serious consequences of mass displacement orders imposed this week by Israeli occupying forces, which contravene the rules of international humanitarian law. These measures have a direct impact on the ability of Lebanon’s health system to respond to the needs of the population, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
The Commission noted that Lebanon faces the risk of repeating the scenario witnessed during the 2024 war, when more than one million people were forced to flee due to actions by Israeli occupying forces, placing unprecedented pressure on the health sector. Today, with increasing calls for evacuation and displacement, the sector faces a new test amid highly complex economic and humanitarian conditions.
The Commission emphasized that forced displacement leads to immediate strain on health services. Hospitals located in evacuated areas are often forced to reduce or suspend their services, while patients suffering from chronic conditions, such as kidney failure, cancer, and other illnesses requiring continuous treatment, are compelled to seek healthcare in other regions. These receiving hospitals are often already under significant pressure due to serving the most vulnerable populations.
The Commission added that the burden is not limited to the medical dimension. Lebanon’s health system relies heavily on out-of-pocket payments by patients. As many displaced families are forced to leave their homes in haste, they often leave behind their savings or have already exhausted them, increasing their vulnerability and limiting their ability to access healthcare.
It also highlighted that healthcare personnel themselves are affected by displacement, with many doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers becoming displaced. This forces them to prioritize the safety of their families, resulting in a temporary reduction in the available workforce at a time when the need for healthcare services is increasing.
This situation comes at a time when Lebanon’s health system is already operating with extremely limited resources, as the country depends heavily on imports for most medicines and medical supplies. Any disruption in supply chains therefore adds further pressure on healthcare services.
In this context, the National Human Rights Commission stressed that the protection of the right to health remains a legal and moral obligation that must not be compromised, even in times of conflict. It called on Israel to respect the rules of international humanitarian law, particularly those related to the protection of civilians, the continued functioning of healthcare facilities, and ensuring patients’ access to treatment.
The Commission also called on Lebanese authorities and international partners to take urgent measures to ensure the continuity of healthcare services, support healthcare institutions and personnel, and secure essential medicines and supplies, so that no one is deprived of their right to healthcare.
The Commission concluded by affirming that access to healthcare, even in times of war and displacement, is not a privilege but a fundamental human right that must be protected and guaranteed for all without discrimination.
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