Amnesty International urges an investigation into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector during the recent conflict, labeling these actions as war crimes. The organization cites numerous assaults on medical facilities and personnel, alongside significant civilian casualties reported by Lebanese authorities. They emphasize the importance of legal accountability and the need for the Lebanese government to facilitate an investigation through the International Criminal Court.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israel’s attacks on Lebanon’s health sector during its recent conflict, categorizing them as war crimes. The organization highlighted how Israeli assaults on ambulances, paramedics, and healthcare facilities require scrutiny under international law, especially since a truce effective from November 27 ended hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel that lasted over a year, including two months of intense warfare.
The human rights organization emphasized that the Lebanese government should enable the International Criminal Court to assert jurisdiction and address crimes committed on Lebanese soil. During the conflict, Israel purportedly attacked healthcare facilities, alleging that Hezbollah misused ambulances, a claim the group denied. Amnesty’s findings pointed to significant violations of international law regarding the protection of health facilities.
In December, Lebanon’s health minister Firass Abiad reported numerous attacks on healthcare entities, detailing that 67 hospitals faced assaults, with 40 directly targeted, leading to loss of life and substantial damage. The minister also stated that emergency response agencies experienced 238 attacks resulting in over 200 deaths and damage to emergency vehicles.
Amnesty documented four particular Israeli attacks from October 3 to 9, resulting in casualties among healthcare workers. The organization concluded that there was no evidence to justify military targets at the attacked locations, challenging the Israeli military’s claims. They requested a response to their findings but had not received any feedback by the article’s publication date.
The Israeli military has been criticized for failing to justify its strikes, which greatly compromised Lebanon’s already fragile healthcare system. The Lebanese health ministry reported that over 4,000 civilians were killed during the hostilities that erupted after Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. The extensive bombardment led to significant destruction, with Lebanese officials estimating reconstruction costs exceeding $10 billion.
Amnesty International’s call for an investigation into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector underscores significant concerns regarding potential war crimes. The documented assaults on healthcare facilities and personnel, along with the alarming casualty figures, highlight the need for accountability. The lack of sufficient justification from the Israeli military further complicates the situation, reinforcing the necessity of an independent investigation to uphold international law.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
