Amnesty says Israeli attacks on Lebanon health sector should be probed as war crimes
AFP | London
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
Amnesty International on Wednesday called for an investigation into Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics, and health facilities during its recent conflict with Hezbollah, urging that these actions be classified as war crimes.
The conflict, which intensified over more than a year, included two months of intense fighting after Israel deployed ground troops. A truce on November 27 largely halted hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
During the war, Israel accused Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, of using ambulances from the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee to transport fighters and weapons, allegations that Hezbollah denied.
Amnesty International emphasized that "the Israeli military’s repeated unlawful attacks during the war in Lebanon on health facilities, ambulances, and health workers—protected under international law—must be investigated as war crimes."
The organization called on the Lebanese government to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes committed on Lebanese soil, ensuring that victims' rights to remedy are upheld.
In December, Lebanon’s then health minister, Firass Abiad, reported that 67 attacks on hospitals occurred during the conflict, 40 of which targeted hospitals directly. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 16 people. Abiad also confirmed 238 attacks on emergency response organizations, including 206 fatalities. Additionally, 256 emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, were targeted.
Amnesty stated that it investigated four Israeli attacks on health facilities and vehicles in Beirut and southern Lebanon between October 3 and 9, 2024. These attacks killed 19 healthcare workers, injured 11 others, and caused significant damage to ambulances and medical facilities.
The rights group found no evidence to suggest the facilities or vehicles were being used for military purposes at the time of the attacks.
Amnesty noted that it had contacted the Israeli military in November regarding its findings but had not received a response. The group criticized Israel for not providing sufficient justifications or evidence that military targets were present at the strike locations.
According to Lebanese authorities, the conflict resulted in over 4,000 deaths and widespread destruction across southern Lebanon, eastern regions, and parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs. Reconstruction costs are expected to exceed $10 billion.
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