Hospitals in Beirut struggle to deal with casualties after Israeli attacks
Recent Israeli Attacks on Beirut
Beirut hospitals are facing severe overload from casualties caused by recent Israeli airstrikes, as reported by the Beirut Doctors Syndicate. Doctors have issued urgent pleas for all specialists to report to hospitals to manage the influx of injuries from these air raids.
Healthcare System Strain
Lebanon’s health infrastructure has endured significant damage, with at least 54 health professionals killed since early March 2026 amid the renewed Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Israeli strikes have targeted or forced the closure of six hospitals and 49 clinics, alongside 152 attacks on emergency workers and ambulances, exacerbating an already fragile system crippled by economic woes.
Key Incidents and Impacts
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Strikes near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut’s Jnah area caused substantial damage and civilian deaths, overwhelming nearby facilities like Zahraa Hospital.
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Over 53 medical workers have died, 87 ambulances destroyed, and five hospitals shuttered in southern Lebanon alone, with patterns of “double-tap” strikes hitting first responders.
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Facilities such as Nabih Berri Hospital and Sidon’s burn unit are swamped, forcing patient evacuations and discharges amid constant referrals from bombarded southern suburbs.
