Health Workers in Lebanon Report Fatal Israeli Airstrikes on Colleagues Amid Escalating Conflict

Israel's military conducted an airstrike near a hospital in southern Lebanon on Friday, resulting in the deaths of seven paramedics and forcing the facility to close. This incident is among the deadliest attacks on health workers since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified. The Marjayoun hospital director, Mounes Kalakesh, reported that the attack caused significant damage, including doors being blown off and glass shattering.

Impact on Health Workers

Lebanon's health ministry has stated that dozens of health workers have been killed in recent attacks. Kalakesh mentioned that ambulance crews were already hesitant to operate due to safety concerns, leading to a lack of wounded patients arriving at the hospital. "We have not been able to work. There was fear and panic among the staff," he said. Despite previous warnings given to nearby villages, the hospital received no such notice before the attack.

The Israeli military has not commented specifically on this incident. However, their Arabic-language spokesman accused Hezbollah of using ambulances for transporting weapons and fighters, advising medical teams to avoid involvement with the group. Lebanese officials and hospital directors, including Kalakesh, have denied these allegations.

Accusations of War Crimes

Lebanon's health minister has accused Israel of committing war crimes by targeting medical personnel. Over three days, 40 paramedics, firefighters, and healthcare workers were reportedly killed in Israeli attacks, complicating efforts to care for those injured in ongoing hostilities. Since the escalation of conflict along the border with Israel and Gaza began a year ago, more than 100 health workers have lost their lives.

The Islamic Health Committee's paramedics are part of Lebanon's coordinated response to crises. Other civil defence teams have also expressed safety concerns, with some reporting attacks while clearly identified and performing duties like transporting the wounded or extinguishing fires.

Previous Strikes Near Hospitals

Kalakesh noted that Israeli strikes had previously occurred near Marjayoun hospital but never so close. He described how paramedics perished in their burning vehicles during this latest attack. The 45-bed hospital is now closed as Kalakesh prioritises staff safety. At the time of the attack, 30 staff members were present at the hospital.

Other groups have also faced threats. A Lebanese Red Cross convoy was attacked on Thursday despite being escorted by Lebanese troops and coordinated with UN peacekeepers. This incident resulted in one Lebanese soldier's death and injuries to four Red Cross volunteers.

Continued Attacks on Medical Teams

On Thursday, Israeli forces targeted rescue teams from the Islamic Health Committee in Beirut's southern suburbs and Odeissah village, killing at least four individuals. In Odeissah, ambulances responding to an initial attack were hit again, resulting in three medics' deaths as rescuers attempted to reach them.

In Beirut's suburbs, a team clearing rubble from an earlier airstrike was struck by a drone attack that killed a driver and injured seven others. Mahmoud Karaki from the Islamic Health Committee stated that 145 team members have been wounded over the past year due to such attacks.

Lebanon's health ministry reports that nine hospitals and 45 healthcare centres have sustained damage during this period. Hours after Friday's attack near Marjayoun hospital, another facility in Bint Jbeil was shelled following an evacuation warning from Israeli forces. Nine medical staff members at Salah Ghandour Hospital were injured, most seriously, leading to its closure due to damage.

The ongoing conflict continues to severely impact Lebanon's healthcare infrastructure and personnel safety.