Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Health, Firas Al-Abed, announced on Wednesday the latest toll from the explosions caused by wireless communication devices known as "pagers." He stated that the first medical aid has arrived from Iraq.
This announcement came during a press conference discussing the latest developments in Lebanon.
Al-Abed explained that the death toll has risen to 12, including two children (an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy), along with four healthcare workers.
He noted that the number of injured ranges between 2,750 and 2,800, with 750 in the south, 150 in Baalbek, and 1,850 in Beirut and the southern suburbs. He pointed out that 10% of the injured are in critical condition.
The Minister mentioned that 460 surgeries have been performed, mostly on the face, eyes, and limbs, particularly hands due to cases of finger amputations.
Al-Abed indicated that 1,800 injured individuals were admitted to hospitals yesterday, adding that some cases were evacuated from Baalbek to Syria and others to Iran.
He continued, "We welcomed the first plane as part of a series of shipments from Iraq containing 15 tons of medicines, supplies, and a medical team, along with assistance from Iran and Jordan. We have been in contact with health ministers in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Iran, and the Turkish government."
The Lebanese Minister of Health emphasized that "what happened yesterday indicates that the enemy is escalating. As a government, we have been saying since day one that we do not want war and we want a ceasefire from Gaza to Lebanon."
He concluded, "We have enough medical supplies and medicines stored for four months in case a comprehensive war breaks out, and we hope to avoid entering it."