Beirut: Lebanese Health Minister Dr. Firas Abyad announced on Wednesday that 4,047 people have been killed and 16,638 others injured in Israeli occupation attacks on Lebanon since October of last year. According to Kuwait News Agency, during a press conference, Dr. Abyad detailed that the majority of the fatalities occurred after September 15, indicating that the actual numbers might be higher due to unrecorded deaths. He stated that prior to September 15, the toll was 645 dead and 1,983 injured, whereas after September 15, it escalated to 3,402 dead and 14,655 injured. The statistics revealed that among the casualties, 316 children were killed and 1,456 were injured. Additionally, the total toll for women stood at 790 dead and 2,567 injured. In the health sector, 222 people were reported dead and 330 injured, with 40 hospitals targeted by the Israeli occupation, leading to the closure of seven of them. Dr. Abyad addressed the financial repercussions of the attacks, estimating the cost for initial and seco ndary surgeries for the injured at over USD 20 million for more than 250 surgeries. He expressed gratitude towards the international community, particularly brotherly and friendly countries, Lebanese communities, embassies, and consulates that provided medical assistance amidst the crisis. The minister shared that 514 hospital distribution operations were executed, encompassing 29 government hospitals, 89 private hospitals, and seven relief associations. Efforts are underway with the World Bank and United Nations organizations to reconstruct and rehabilitate the damaged health facilities. Lebanon commenced the implementation of a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, November 27, following the escalation of the conflict in September, which saw violent airstrikes by the Israeli occupation across various Lebanese regions, resulting in significant casualties and displacement of the population.
