Elie Hachem, the director of St. Therese Hospital in Beirut, faced a crisis when the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of the facility due to impending airstrikes targeting Hezbollah. The hospital, which housed patients including premature babies, had only 20 minutes to evacuate before an airstrike landed nearby, causing significant damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries.
In response to the escalating situation, Mr. Hachem decided to close the hospital the following day, citing staff trauma. St. Therese is located in Dahiya, an area heavily affected by Israeli airstrikes, and is one of at least nine hospitals in Lebanon that are now either closed or operating at reduced capacity, according to the World Health Organization.
The United Nations reported that some hospitals had to shut down due to damage from attacks, while others were abandoned as staff fled for safety. Remaining facilities are struggling to accommodate an influx of patients evacuated from other hospitals.
Israel's recent offensive in Lebanon has resulted in nearly one million people being displaced. The conflict intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli positions in support of a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. U.N. officials have criticized Israel’s airstrikes as indiscriminate, with over 2,300 fatalities and more than 10,000 injuries reported in Lebanon since the conflict escalated.
The Israeli military has accused Hezbollah of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes, a claim denied by Lebanese officials and Hezbollah itself. The ongoing conflict has seen attacks on Lebanon’s health sector, with 16 recorded incidents resulting in the deaths of 65 healthcare workers.
Mr. Hachem expressed concerns for the safety of his staff and patients, stating, “I don’t want to close the hospital. The community needs us.” Despite efforts to repair damage from the initial airstrike, another strike hit the hospital shortly before its planned reopening, forcing Mr. Hachem to reassess the situation.
Lebanon’s health minister condemned the Israeli strikes on health facilities, asserting that civilians are being targeted and denied access to medical assistance. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon characterized the targeting of health operations as serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Israeli military maintains that its strikes are based on military necessity, alleging that Hezbollah has misused emergency vehicles for military transport. However, these claims have been disputed by Lebanese officials and hospital directors.
Hospitals in southern Lebanon have been particularly affected, with at least three major hospitals shutting down due to damage or staff fleeing. Patients have been transferred to Rafik Hariri University Hospital, which, despite being on the outskirts of Dahiya, has not yet been directly hit.
Dr. Jihad Saadeh, director of Rafik Hariri hospital, reported that staff are exhausted, with some sleeping at the hospital due to fears of airstrikes. The hospital is nearing capacity as it receives patients from other facilities. Dr. Saadeh, who has experienced similar conflicts in the past, noted that the current strain on Lebanon’s health system mirrors the challenges faced during the 2006 conflict with Hezbollah.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, Dr. Saadeh warned, “Everything has limits,” emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing violence.