Lebanon: MSF boosts emergency operations as Israeli attacks continue post-ceasefire

Both returning and displaced communities are facing significant challenges accessing medical care, due to damaged infrastructure, understaffed health facilities, and the costs of medical treatment, which is unaffordable to many after they lost their livelihoods during the past months of war.

In response, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expanded its activities in southern Lebanon over the past 60 days, deploying three mobile medical teams to 11 towns in the Nabatieh governorate. This is in addition to two mobile medical teams which already operate in towns in the South governorate. These teams provide essential medical services to address critical health care gaps in some of the worst affected areas.  

83 killed and 228 injured by Israeli forces since ceasefire

“Since the November ceasefire until today, Israeli forces continue to open fire, carry out strikes, and demolish civilian infrastructure, causing daily devastation and civilian casualties in southern Lebanon,” says Francois Zamparini, emergency coordinator for MSF in Lebanon. “The hardships of these communities are greatly aggravated; people are already struggling to cope with their losses and the impact of the war.” Vulnerable communities, like refugees and migrant workers, face even greater challenges.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, 83 people have been killed and at least 228 others have been injured by Israeli forces in Lebanon since the ceasefire announced on November 27, 2024.

“The scale of the destruction is massive,” says Zamparini. “Towns have been reduced to rubble, with homes, schools, and farmlands wiped out.” Over 90,000 structures—including homes, businesses, agricultural facilities, schools, and water infrastructure—have been damaged or destroyed by the bombardment across the country, according to UNDP. “MSF is committed to supporting the people during this recovery period and ensuring that they are not left without essential medical care as they start to rebuild their lives.”

MSF mobile teams work to fill critical health care gaps

Our mobile medical teams—now 15 across the country- provide primary health care services, medications for chronic illnesses, health education, mental health support, and post-operative nursing care. 

Since the announcement of the ceasefire in November 2024 until January 15, 2025, our teams in southern Lebanon have provided over 19,000 general medical consultations, conducted 3,427 health awareness and education sessions, and supported over 3,000 individuals with mental health services—and this vital work continues. 

Patients with complicated medical conditions are referred to the Public Emergency Turkish Hospital in Saida, where MSF is working in partnership with Ministry of Public Health to deliver free, high-quality trauma, emergency, and surgical care to all the communities in Lebanon.

Humanitarian needs remain high

Beyond health care, MSF is also addressing immediate humanitarian needs across the country. In the heavily bombarded Bint Jbeil district, the organization is donating essential relief items. We have already delivered 7,000 blankets, 4,000 mattresses, 5,820 hygiene kits, as well as 2,015 floor mats and other necessities to support the war-affected communities as they rebuild their lives. Our teams are also actively coordinating with several affected hospitals in the area to offer support, such as donation of fuel and 19,270 medical items, and training medical staff to deal with emergencies.

“Serious efforts must be made to ensure safety for the civilian population, health care facilities, and staff,” says Zamparini. “Any escalation of violence or breaches of the ceasefire would further jeopardize the health and wellbeing of thousands of families in southern Lebanon who have already lost so much.”