Amnesty International has urged investigations into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector as potential war crimes, advocating for Lebanese cooperation with the International Criminal Court. Concurrently, South Africa condemned Israel for using starvation as a weapon in Gaza, advocating accountability in the light of recent humanitarian restrictions. The comprehensive toll of attacks on health facilities in Lebanon and the implications of Israel’s blockade on Gaza necessitate urgent international attention.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israel’s attacks on the health sector in Lebanon, specifically targeting ambulances, paramedics, and medical facilities during the conflict with Hezbollah. The recent truce on November 27 ended over a year of hostilities, which included two months of intensive warfare. Allegations surfaced that the Israeli military accused Hezbollah of misusing ambulances, which the group denied. Amnesty emphasizes that these unlawful attacks must be examined as war crimes, urging Lebanon to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction for prosecution.
During the conflict, Lebanon’s health minister reported 67 attacks on hospitals, with 40 hospitals directly targeted, resulting in 16 fatalities. Furthermore, there were 238 attacks on emergency response organizations, claiming 206 lives and leading to damage of over 256 emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks. Amnesty conducted an investigation into four specific attacks between October 3 and 9, reporting 19 healthcare worker deaths, 11 injuries, and severe damage to ambulances and medical facilities.
The organization concluded that there was no evidence supporting military use of the targeted facilities and vehicles at the time of attack. Amnesty stated, “The Israeli military has not provided sufficient justifications, or specific evidence of military targets being present at the strike locations,” highlighting the detrimental impact on an already fragile healthcare system. The death toll in Lebanon from the hostilities exceeded 4,000 individuals, with reconstruction costs estimated at over $10 billion.
Meanwhile, South Africa has condemned Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, categorizing it as the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The South African government criticized the trend of restricting food access since a fragile ceasefire was reached, indicating that this tactic aligns with actions from the International Court of Justice ruling of plausible genocide against the Palestinian people. They called for the international community to ensure accountability.
South Africa previously submitted a case to the ICJ, asserting that Israel’s actions in Gaza contravene the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention. This accusation has been vehemently denied by Israel, while multiple nations, including Spain and Bolivia, have supported the proceedings. Additionally, South Africa condemned recent escalations of Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank, perceiving them as threats to Palestinian sovereignty.
In conclusion, Amnesty International’s call for investigation into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector underscores serious allegations of war crimes during the conflict with Hezbollah. Simultaneously, South Africa’s denunciation of Israel’s humanitarian blockade in Gaza highlights growing international concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian people. The compounded impacts of these situations reveal pressing issues regarding human rights and the need for accountability on a global scale.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
