In brief
Three Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed three paramedics, prompting accusations from Lebanese officials that Israel is deliberately targeting medical personnel in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The victims included Fadel Serhan, a respected paramedic, who had been actively helping in the war's humanitarian efforts. The health ministry condemned the attacks as a 'flagrant crime' and highlighted the increasing dangers faced by emergency responders in the region.
Three successive Israeli attacks have killed at least three paramedics in southern Lebanon, including one featured in a BBC report this week, Lebanese officials say, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting health workers in its conflict against Hezbollah.A team from the Islamic Health Association was attacked while attempting to rescue individuals from a previous strike's aftermath in the town of Mayfadoun, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Following the first attack, a second team dispatched to the same site was also targeted, resulting in injuries to three paramedics. Eventually, two ambulances belonging to local services were struck as well, leading to the deaths of two additional paramedics and injuring three others.Among the victims is Fadel Serhan, a 43-year-old paramedic with the Risala Scout Association. Earlier in the month, the BBC captured footage of Serhan's team, which operates outside Nabih Berri Hospital after their own facility was destroyed in an Israeli strike at the onset of the conflict.Colleagues describe Serhan as a dedicated individual, remembered for his generosity and commitment to humanitarian service during previous conflicts.In total, over 2,100 fatalities and 7,000 injuries have been recorded since the conflict escalated on March 2, with the health ministry stating that at least 91 healthcare professionals have died due to the ongoing hostilities.The ministry issued a statement denouncing the attacks as a blatant disregard for the principles of international humanitarian law, emphasizing that medics should not be targeted in wartime. Evidence suggests a rise in assaults on health workers, with over 120 reported attacks on medical facilities and ambulances, challenging the safety protocols established to protect non-combatants.Israel has been known to accuse Hezbollah of misusing medical facilities, yet such claims remain unsubstantiated. As the situation evolves and tensions persist, calls for accountability and adherence to international standards grow stronger, particularly in light of the dire human toll witnessed in this ongoing conflict.
