Eight hospitals in Lebanon added to Kuwait's 'terror' list

Kuwait announced that it was adding eight hospitals in Lebanon to its "terror" list on Sunday, banning all entities and financial institutions from dealing with them, in a move that has surprised Lebanese authorities.

The decision was made by Kuwait’s 'Special Committee for the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions under Chapter VII,' tasked with implementing measures to combat terrorism and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The committee falls under the Kuwaiti foreign ministry.

Some of the hospitals are allegedly run by the Islamic Health Committee, which is linked to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group that has been designated a terrorist organisation by the Gulf Cooperation Council since 2016. The alleged links to the group are not mentioned in Kuwait's circular.

Kuwait has over the years clamped down on a number of cells it says are linked to Hezbollah and has charged dozens of people for plotting attacks.

The eight hospitals listed include two in the south, three in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and three to the south of Beirut, all traditionally known to be Hezbollah strongholds.

They are Sheikh Ragheb Harb University Hospital and Salah Ghandour Hospital – both in the south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh and Bint Jbeil respectively – as well as Al-Amal Hospital and Dar al-Hikma Hospital in Baalbek, and Al-Batoul Hospital in nearby Hermel.

The others are Al-Rasoul Al-Aazam Hospital in Burj al-Barajneh, Saint George Hospital in Hadath, and Al-Shifa Hospital in Khaldeh – all in municipalities south of Beirut.

"All persons are required to freeze funds and economic resources that are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the designated persons, without delay and without prior notice," the Kuwaiti circular said.

The ban does not include the addition of interest accrued on frozen accounts.

'Surprised'

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

The ministry said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise," adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter."

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the health ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system" and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and to "present the correct facts" and "protect Lebanon's health system."

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced."

Lebanon’s current health minister is Rakan Nassereddine, one of two ministers in the cabinet closely aligned with Hezbollah. The other is Labour Minister Mohammad Haidar.

Kuwait has historically been a crucial financial supporter of Lebanon, investing in the country and providing it with aid during times of crises especially after multiple wars with Israel.

Most of the hospitals listed are in areas that were heavily bombed by Israel during its war with Hezbollah in 2024.