Amnesty International has urged for investigations into Israeli military attacks on Lebanon’s health sector, citing war crimes. The organization notes that health facilities were unlawfully targeted during the recent conflict, which ceased with a truce on November 27. Calls have been made for the Lebanese government to enable investigations under the International Criminal Court while highlighting significant casualties and infrastructure damage resulting from the attacks.
Amnesty International has called for investigations into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector during the recent conflict, labeling these actions as potential war crimes. The organization’s statement highlights that the attacks on ambulances, healthcare facilities, and medical personnel violate international law and necessitate accountability.
The conflict reached a pause with a truce agreement on November 27, ceasing more than a year of hostilities, notably a two-month intense war marked by Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon. Amnesty noted that such violations, explicitly targeting health-related entities, must be scrutinized under the framework of international law.
The rights organization urged the Lebanese government to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate crimes as outlined in the Rome Statute, thereby ensuring victims receive appropriate remedies. During the conflict, the Israeli military targeted healthcare facilities, justifying its actions by claiming Hezbollah misused ambulances for military purposes, allegations disputed by the group.
Data compiled by Lebanon’s former health minister, Firass Abiad, indicated significant casualties and damage. He reported 67 attacks on hospitals—40 directly targeting them—leading to 16 fatalities, alongside 238 attacks on emergency services which resulted in 206 deaths. Furthermore, 256 emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, were also attacked.
Amnesty conducted investigations into several incidents, revealing the impact on healthcare professionals and facilities, with 19 healthcare workers killed, 11 injured, and multiple ambulances damaged. Their findings suggested there was no evidence of these health facilities being utilized for military operations at the time of the assaults.
Despite outreach to the Israeli military for responses regarding these attacks, they have not provided justification for their military actions or evidence of valid military targets. The ramifications have severely hampered Lebanon’s healthcare system, risking lives in an already vulnerable environment. According to the Lebanese health ministry, approximately 4,000 individuals were reportedly killed during the war, which coincided with the onset of hostilities in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The infrastructural damage inflicted during these attacks is projected to exceed $10 billion in reconstruction costs, according to Lebanese authorities.
The ongoing situation in Lebanon remains critical as Amnesty International calls for accountability regarding attacks on its health sector by Israeli forces. The alleged war crimes highlight the need for international scrutiny and restorative measures for affected victims. Furthermore, the scale of devastation underscores both humanitarian and infrastructural crises, with future implications for Lebanon’s healthcare system and overall stability.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
