By Yang Ronghui, Zeng Lihong and Qu Fatong

The scene of the emergency blood collection.

BEIRUT, Mar. 17 -- Civilian casualties in Lebanon have continued to mount as the Lebanon-Israel conflict intensifies. As of March 16, 2026, the conflict has resulted in 886 deaths and 2,141 injuries, which has overwhelmed the local hospitals at all levels and caused blood stocks to run critically low repeatedly. In rapid response, the 24th Chinese Peacekeeping Level 1+ Hospital to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) activated its emergency blood collection protocol, setting up an improvised blood collection site at the affiliated Level 1+ Hospital. 

To ensure the safety and efficiency of blood collection and timely delivery, the Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent streamlined the blood supply chain to cut the process from three hours down to two. As of March 16, a total of 9,600 milliliters of whole blood had been collected from 24 peacekeepers, including both Chinese and Spanish peacekeepers.

It is learned that since the escalation of the Lebanon-Israel conflict, the Chinese Peacekeeping Level 1+ Hospital to UNIFIL has stood on the frontline to continue medical treatment and rescue. Since March 1, the contingent has provided medical treatment to more than 110 peacekeepers and local residents.

Peacekeepers queue up to donate blood. (Photo by Li Hui)