Israeli Strike Kills 12 Healthcare Workers in Southern Lebanon Medical Centre
An Israeli military strike targeted a primary healthcare facility in the town of Burj Qalaouiyah, located in southern Lebanon, late on Friday night. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of twelve medical staff members, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses who were on duty at the time. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the strike caused the building to catch fire and collapse onto the workers inside, violating all international humanitarian laws.
Escalating Toll and International Condemnation
This incident brings the total number of healthcare workers killed by Israeli actions in Lebanon over the past twelve days to thirty-one. The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commented on the deaths, stating that the killings of fourteen health workers in southern Lebanon within twenty-four hours mark a tragic development in the escalating Middle East crisis. Human rights groups have emphasized that attacks on medical personnel constitute war crimes, regardless of political affiliations.
Lebanese authorities report that Israel has carried out at least thirty-seven attacks against healthcare workers and facilities in Lebanon since hostilities began. These targets have included state civil defence units and the Lebanese Red Cross. The conflict in Lebanon started on March 2nd after Hezbollah launched a volley of rockets at Israel, triggering a swift Israeli bombing campaign across the country. Fighting has since intensified, with Hezbollah continuing rocket fire and Israeli troops invading southern Lebanon.
Israeli Accusations and Lebanese Denials
On Saturday morning, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee accused Hezbollah of using ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes. He claimed that Israeli forces would act in accordance with international law if Hezbollah did not cease such activities, but provided no credible evidence to support these allegations. In response, the Lebanese Ministry of Health denied the claims, calling them nothing more than a justification for crimes against humanity.
This is not the first time such accusations have been made. During the thirteen-month Israel-Hezbollah war in 2024, Israel similarly accused Hezbollah of misusing ambulances without credible evidence, while killing 408 healthcare workers. Additionally, Israel has faced accusations of war crimes for attacks on Gaza's healthcare facilities during its two-year war on the strip, with a UN commission of inquiry and a top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court noting that claims about Hamas fighters in hospitals were grossly exaggerated.
Humanitarian Concerns and Legal Protections
Humanitarian organizations have warned that the Israeli military's accusations could be used to justify further attacks on medical facilities in Lebanon. Under international humanitarian law, medical workers are considered civilians and enjoy protected status, irrespective of their political affiliations. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with at least 826 people killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes and about one million displaced, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
The destruction of healthcare infrastructure poses severe risks to public health in the region. Gaza's healthcare system has been largely destroyed by sustained Israeli attacks, and similar patterns are emerging in Lebanon. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging all parties to adhere to legal standards and protect civilian lives.
