Arabic version: غارة إسرائيلية تودي بحياة 12 من العاملين في مجال الرعاية الصحية في لبنان
Israeli rockets killed 12 medical workers in a strike on a medical centre in Burj Qalaouiyah, southern Lebanon, on Friday night, bringing the toll of healthcare staff killed in the country by Israel to 31 over the past 12 days. The Lebanese ministry of health reported that the strike caused the facility to catch fire and collapse, trapping medical personnel inside.
According to The Guardian, the attacks have been condemned as violations of international humanitarian laws, with human rights organizations labeling assaults on medical staff as war crimes. Since the current hostilities began, Israeli forces have conducted at least 37 attacks on healthcare workers and facilities in Lebanon.
The conflict escalated on March 2, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah at Israel, prompting a significant Israeli bombing campaign across Lebanon. The ongoing violence has led to at least 826 fatalities and displaced around 1 million people in the country, according to local health officials.
In response to the recent strike, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee accused Hezbollah of misusing ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes. However, the Lebanese ministry of health rejected these claims, asserting that they serve only to justify the attacks against civilians.
The situation remains dire, with humanitarian groups warning that such accusations could lead to further assaults on medical facilities, which are protected under international law. The ongoing conflict continues to draw international attention and condemnation as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
