Amnesty International has urged an investigation into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector as potential war crimes. The conflict has resulted in numerous attacks on health facilities and personnel, raising serious legal and humanitarian concerns. The Lebanese health ministry reports significant casualties and damages following the attacks, which are attributed to Israel’s military actions during the hostilities with Hezbollah.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israel’s attacks on the health sector in Lebanon, suggesting these may constitute war crimes. The organization made this declaration following a recent conflict that saw a truce on November 27, ending over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, where significant military action occurred in southern Lebanon.
The organization reported that the Israeli military executed numerous unlawful attacks targeting health facilities, ambulances, and health workers during the conflict, all of which are safeguarded by international law. Amnesty urged the Lebanese government to extend its jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court to pursue investigations and prosecutions of crimes committed on Lebanese soil.
Israeli military forces have been accused of targeting healthcare facilities, based on claims that Hezbollah was misusing ambulances belonging to the Islamic Health Committee. These allegations have been disputed by Hezbollah. Amnesty noted that they could not confirm any military usage of the facilities during their investigation.
In a statement made by the former Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad, he highlighted that there had been 67 attacks on hospitals, leading to 16 fatalities, and that 238 assaults on emergency organizations resulted in 206 deaths. Furthermore, 256 emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, were reported as targeted.
From October 3 to 9, Amnesty examined four Israeli strikes on medical facilities and vehicles resulting in the deaths of 19 healthcare workers and injuries to 11, as well as extensive damage to ambulances and medical centers. They stressed, “Amnesty International did not find evidence that the facilities or vehicles were being used for military purposes at the time of the attacks.”
Despite attempts to engage with the Israeli military regarding their findings, Amnesty had yet to receive a response. They criticized the military for not providing justifications or evidence of military targets present at the time of the attacks, highlighting the risks these actions posed to an already fragile healthcare system.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, over 4,000 individuals were killed as a result of the conflict, which ignited following Israel’s military assault on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. The extensive bombing has severely damaged areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, with reconstruction anticipated to exceed $10 billion according to Lebanese officials.
In summary, Amnesty International has raised serious concerns regarding Israel’s military actions against Lebanon’s health sector, advocating for investigations into potential war crimes. The evidence suggests systematic targeting of healthcare facilities and personnel, calling into question the legitimacy of such actions under international law. The conflict’s toll continues to affect the Lebanese population, with substantial casualties and damages expected to burden the country for years to come.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
