Three paramedics killed in successive Israeli strikes in Lebanon, officials say
Three Paramedics Killed in Successive Israeli Strikes in Lebanon, Officials Say
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have claimed the lives of three paramedics in consecutive incidents, according to Lebanese officials, who accuse the military of deliberately targeting healthcare workers during its conflict with Hezbollah. The attacks, which occurred in the Nabatieh region, left one paramedic dead and another missing after the first team from the Islamic Health Association was ambushed while aiding survivors at the site of an earlier Israeli bombardment in Mayfadoun. A second team from the same organization faced another assault on the same day, resulting in three injuries. Meanwhile, two ambulances belonging to the Risala Scout Association and the Nabatieh Ambulance Service were also struck, killing two paramedics and wounding three more.
Victims and Their Backgrounds
Fadel Serhan, a 43-year-old paramedic from the Risala Scout Association, was among those killed. Serhan, a father of an eight-year-old girl, had been part of the BBC’s coverage in Nabatieh earlier this month. His team had been operating from a tent near Nabih Berri Hospital after their base in Mayfadoun was destroyed by an Israeli air strike in the war’s opening days, which also killed one individual. Ali Nasreddine, a former classmate and colleague, remembered Serhan as a compassionate and humorous person who consistently put others first. “He was generous, always ready to help, and had a deep sense of humanity,” Nasreddine said. “In both wars, he chose to stay and offer his support.”
Accusations and Responses
The Lebanese health ministry labeled Wednesday’s attacks a “flagrant crime,” asserting that paramedics had become direct targets in a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law. It claimed the assaults were part of a pattern of attacks on medical personnel, with over 120 strikes recorded on ambulances and facilities since the war began on 2 March. The ministry reported 91 health professionals killed and 208 injured, alongside more than 2,100 civilian deaths and 7,000 wounded overall. These figures include at least 260 women and 172 children.
Israel has previously accused Hezbollah of using ambulances and medical facilities for military operations, but Lebanon’s health minister has refuted these claims. In a statement, the ministry emphasized that the attacks on healthcare workers were a clear violation of established principles. Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director, echoed this, stating: “Under international humanitarian law, civilians—including healthcare workers—retain their protected status regardless of affiliations.” She further noted that targeting medics in their humanitarian roles could constitute a war crime.
During the same period, Hezbollah’s attacks have resulted in two civilian casualties in Israel, while 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities. The ongoing conflict continues to strain medical resources, with rescue teams frequently exposed to danger as they navigate the war zones. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incidents, leaving the situation open to further scrutiny.