Israel Targets Ambulances in Lebanon, Raising Concerns Over Humanitarian Law Violations

Israel's military is under scrutiny for allegedly targeting ambulances and medical personnel in Lebanon, amid the escalating conflict with Hezbollah. Tensions have been high since October 2023, when Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, triggering Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah's strongholds in southern Lebanon.

On October 31, 2024, an Israeli airstrike on an ambulance in the town of Zefta, Lebanon, killed a paramedic and injured two others. This follows a troubling pattern of attacks on first responders in the region. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, at least 173 emergency workers have been killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict began, with over 270 others injured and numerous medical vehicles damaged.

Humanitarian groups have condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of international law. Tania Baban, the Lebanon country director for MedGlobal, expressed her outrage, saying that "the killing of first responders... is a heartbreaking violation of basic humanity." MedGlobal and other organizations have called on the international community to take action, as these attacks undermine the core principles of humanitarian aid.

Israel, however, has justified its strikes, claiming that Hezbollah is using ambulances to transport weapons and fighters. On October 12, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned that the Israeli army would target any vehicle used to carry armed men, including medical vehicles.

Despite these claims, Human Rights Watch insists that medical personnel, regardless of political affiliation, are protected under international law and should not be targeted in conflict zones.

As the conflict continues to escalate, the humanitarian toll on both Lebanese and Israeli civilians is growing. With over 1.2 million people displaced in Lebanon, the safety of medical workers remains a critical concern. The international community is being urged to hold all parties accountable for violations of humanitarian law in the region.

The ongoing violence, coupled with the targeting of emergency services, is leaving communities vulnerable and further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon.