The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the severe humanitarian consequences of the ongoing military conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, revealing that more than 1,800 people have been killed and over 12,500 injured in less than two weeks.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said health systems across the Middle East are facing immense pressure and are close to collapse as the conflict continues to intensify.
The conflict escalated on February 28, 2026, following a large-scale joint strike by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior officials.
According to the WHO, Iran has recorded more than 1,300 deaths and about 9,000 injuries. Lebanon has reported at least 570 deaths and roughly 1,400 injuries, while Israel has recorded 15 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries.
The war has also triggered a major displacement crisis. Over 100,000 people in Iran and up to 700,000 in Lebanon have reportedly fled their homes, many now living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Health infrastructure has also been affected by the fighting. The WHO said it has documented 25 attacks on health facilities in Lebanon, 18 in Iran, and two in Israel since the conflict began.
The organisation warned that such attacks not only cause casualties but also prevent communities from accessing essential medical care during emergencies.
The conflict began after the White House justified strikes on Iranian cities, including Tehran, citing alleged missile and nuclear threats. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli sites and US military bases across the Gulf region.
Despite claims that the strikes were precision operations, humanitarian agencies say the conflict is having widespread effects on civilians across the region.
The WHO has called for an immediate reduction in hostilities and urged all parties to allow humanitarian access to affected populations.
Ghebreyesus also raised concerns about global spending priorities, noting that military expenditure worldwide reached about $2.7 trillion in a single year.
He compared this to United Nations estimates that about $93 billion annually would be required to eliminate global hunger by 2030.
According to him, the figures show that the world spends nearly 30 times more on military activities than on efforts to ensure global food security.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned that hunger and food insecurity remain widespread due to conflict, climate change, economic instability, and displacement. Experts say stronger political commitment and increased investment will be required to meet the global goal of ending hunger by 2030.
