A new term, 'healthocide,' has emerged to describe the intentional destruction of health services and infrastructure in conflict zones, as discussed in a recent commentary in BMJ Global Health.

The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition reported over 3,600 incidents of attacks on health care in 2024, reflecting a 15% increase from the previous year and a staggering 62% rise from 2022.

Historically viewed as collateral damage, attacks on health care are increasingly recognized as deliberate strategies in conflicts, raising alarm among humanitarian organizations.

The World Health Organization has noted that since October 2024, Palestinian territories have experienced approximately half of the global attacks on health care, resulting in significant casualties among medical workers and widespread damage to facilities.

Humanitarian experts argue that the term 'healthocide' is essential to elevate the urgency of the issue and to foster accountability for attacks on health care personnel and infrastructure.

This discussion highlights the growing concern over the global targeting of health systems and emphasizes the need for a unified international response to protect health care workers in conflict zones.

The introduction of 'healthocide' aims to draw attention to violations of international law and urges the global medical community to oppose the increasing attacks on health care in conflict areas.

Co-author Joelle Abi-Rached, a professor at the American University of Beirut, asserts that healthocide signifies not only the destruction of hospitals but also the broader devastation of a population's health and well-being.

In Lebanon, between September and November 2024, Israeli bombardments resulted in the deaths of at least 408 health workers and damaged health facilities 208 times, marking a significant escalation in violence.

However, some critics argue that 'healthocide' does not introduce a new legal concept but merely describes existing violations that are already recognized as criminal under international law.