{"id":4456,"date":"2026-03-02T17:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nhrclb.org\/archives\/4456"},"modified":"2026-03-02T17:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:28:15","slug":"%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%b8%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b5%d8%ad%d9%8a-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%86%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a3%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d8%ae%d8%aa%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%8a%d8%af","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nhrclb.org\/en\/archives\/4456","title":{"rendered":"Lebanon\u2019s Health System Faces a New Test: Protecting Civilians and Healthcare Facilities Is a Binding Legal Obligation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, expresses its deep concern over the escalating and ongoing Israeli attacks against Lebanon.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The experience during the 2024 war demonstrated that the resilience of Lebanon\u2019s health system rested on three fundamental pillars:<\/p>\n

First: Preparedness for mass casualties<\/strong>, through the adoption of effective triage systems, strengthening hospital surge capacity, organizing referral pathways, activating emergency coordination mechanisms, and conducting regular drills and simulation exercises.<\/p>\n

Second: Preparedness for mass displacement<\/strong>, by ensuring the continuity of healthcare services for families forced to leave their homes\u2014particularly patients with chronic conditions such as those requiring dialysis or cancer treatment\u2014along with maternal and child health services, and the provision of medications and primary healthcare.<\/p>\n

Third: Effective logistical management<\/strong>, by anticipating needs in advance, securing supply chains, and preventing shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies.<\/p>\n

The Commission commends the pivotal role undertaken by the Ministry of Public Health, particularly through the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, as well as the extraordinary dedication of healthcare workers who managed crises under highly complex conditions. The Ministry\u2019s post-war review, entitled \u201cEmerging from the Crisis: The Health Sector\u2019s Response and Lessons Learned from the 2024 War on Lebanon,\u201d<\/em> constitutes an important reference for strengthening preparedness and readiness for any potential shock.<\/p>\n

Repeated Israeli attacks have demonstrated that hospitals, ambulances, healthcare workers, and first responders may become direct targets, in clear violation of international humanitarian law. The protection of medical facilities and their personnel is not optional; it is a binding legal obligation on all parties to a conflict. Any attack against them may constitute a serious violation of international law and, in certain cases, may amount to war crimes.<\/p>\n

The Commission stresses that the true victims of any escalation are civilians\u2014particularly the most vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, older persons, children, displaced individuals, as well as persons deprived of their liberty who rely entirely on the State to guarantee their right to healthcare.<\/p>\n

Pursuant to its mandate under Law No. 62\/2016, the Commission affirms the importance of ensuring the continuity of healthcare within places of detention, prisons, and holding centers\u2014especially in emergencies\u2014as this forms an integral part of preventing torture and ill-treatment.<\/p>\n

The Commission calls for:<\/p>\n