TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — On Wednesday, the Israeli military struck three targeted attacks that resulted in the deaths of four Lebanese rescue workers and injured six others, underline the toll of the ongoing Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, occurring just a day after both nations engaged in historic discussions in Washington.
The series of Israeli airstrikes targeted medics in Mayfadoun, a village near Nabatiyeh, hitting the first response team attending to injured civilians, a second team assisting their wounded colleagues, and a third group responding to the initial strikes.
The Israeli military has yet to provide a comprehensive response regarding the attacks, stating only that it is “looking into” the incidents. Previously, it has accused Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, of using ambulances for military purposes without presenting any evidence.
The Lebanese Health Ministry condemned the strikes as a “blatant violation” of international law. Abou Haidar Hayya, an official from the Islamic Health Committee involved in the rescue efforts, expressed concern that such targeted actions against medics indicate a lack of respect for established war boundaries. He reiterated that ambulances should be protected under international laws.
Since the conflict with Hezbollah erupted on March 2, the ministry reports that at least 91 Lebanese medical workers have been killed, showcasing the severe impact of the attacks on Lebanon’s healthcare system. The total death toll from the conflict in Lebanon rose to 2,167 on Wednesday.
Repeated Targeting of Medical Teams
The initial Israeli strike hit a team from Lebanon’s Islamic Health Committee, killing two paramedics. A subsequent strike on a second team resulted in three additional injuries. A final attack engaged another rescue team, leading to two more fatalities among medics. Most injured medics remain in moderate condition, except for one in serious condition due to shrapnel wounds.
Video evidence shared by the Nabatiyeh Emergency Services shows medics in uniforms, clearly indicating their emergency roles, attempting to rescue their colleagues from damaged ambulances when another Israeli strike hit, causing chaos and injuries. Hayya affirmed that despite the danger, rescue teams would continue to operate, stating, “We refuse to leave our paramedics behind, even if it costs our lives.”
Israeli Campaign Intensifies
Israeli forces reported executing over 200 strikes on Hezbollah targets in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on military sites in northern Israel. In a video address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of the “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon and reaffirmed that Israel would pursue negotiations with the Lebanese government alongside military actions to disarm Hezbollah for a “sustainable peace.”
In Lebanon, these negotiations have faced backlash from Hezbollah and its supporters, leading to public dissent against the Lebanese government for engaging with Israel amid ongoing violence. Some residents in Beirut remain divided, with opinions varying from finding military action the only solution to viewing negotiations as a pathway to end hostilities.
Despite evacuation warnings from the Israeli military, tens of thousands have chosen to remain in southern Lebanon, with many seeing Tyre as a final refuge, albeit increasingly unsafe due to visible destruction in the coastal city.
