Israel’s military strike outside a hospital in southern Lebanon on Friday led to the deaths of seven paramedics and forced the facility to close, according to the hospital director. This attack, one of the deadliest on health workers since the escalation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, resulted in the destruction of hospital property and instilled fear among the remaining staff. Despite nearby villages receiving warnings to evacuate, the hospital did not receive any warning from Israeli forces before the attack. Israel has not commented specifically on the incident, but an Arabic-language military spokesman accused Hezbollah of using ambulances for transporting weapons and fighters, leading to a warning for medical teams to stay clear of the group.
Lebanese officials and hospital directors deny the accusation made by the Israeli military spokesperson, with Lebanon’s health minister labeling the targeting of medical teams and paramedics as a war crime. The health ministry reported that 40 paramedics, firefighters, and healthcare workers were killed in Israeli attacks over three days, making it even more challenging to care for the wounded during the intense fighting. Overall, more than 100 health workers have been killed in the year since the conflict began in Gaza and the exchanges of fire intensified between Israel and Hezbollah. The Islamic Health Committee paramedics, part of the coordinated health ministry response in Lebanon, have faced danger while assisting in crisis situations, with some coming under attack despite being clearly identified and carrying out their duties.
The Marjayoun hospital, which was targeted by Israeli airstrikes, is now closed following the deaths of paramedics in their burning vehicles. The decision to evacuate was made to protect the remaining staff, who were already exhausted after a year of working near the front line. Other groups, including the Lebanese Red Cross, have also expressed concerns about the safety of their teams, with incidents of being attacked while providing assistance. The healthcare sector in Lebanon has suffered significant damage, with nine hospitals and 45 healthcare centers being affected over the past year. These attacks on the health sector not only endanger the lives of medical personnel but also undermine the safety net for the public.
In addition to the attack on Marjayoun hospital, another hospital in the town of Bint Jbeil was shelled by Israeli forces after receiving a warning to evacuate. Nine members of the medical and nursing staff at Salah Ghandour Hospital were wounded, leading to the shutdown of the facility due to the damage caused. The ongoing violence in Lebanon has resulted in numerous casualties among healthcare workers, further straining an already fragile healthcare system. As the conflict continues, the need to protect medical teams and hospitals becomes increasingly urgent to ensure the provision of essential healthcare services to those affected by the fighting.
