Human Rights Watch Condemns Zionist Attacks on Medical Workers in Lebanon as War Crimes

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that Zionist forces have carried out repeated strikes against medical personnel and facilities in Lebanon, marking what the organization describes as apparent war crimes. In an investigation covering incidents on October 3 and 4, 2024, HRW documented attacks on paramedics and hospitals, including a direct strike on a civil defense center in Beirut and another attack near Marjayoun Hospital in southern Lebanon. These attacks resulted in 14 paramedic deaths and forced the evacuation of the Marjayoun Hospital.

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, Zionist airstrikes have killed at least 163 health workers over the past year, damaged 158 ambulances, and struck 55 hospitals across Lebanon. HRW urged the Zionist entity to end these assaults, stressing that medical staff and health facilities are protected under international humanitarian law unless proven to be actively engaged in military activities. “The “Israeli” military’s unlawful attacks on medical workers and hospitals are devastating Lebanon’s healthcare system,” said Ramzi Kaiss, HRW’s Lebanon researcher. He emphasized that strikes on medical personnel hinder civilians’ access to critical medical assistance and that such attacks, if intentional or reckless, amount to war crimes.

In response to these incidents, Human Rights Watch has called on the United Nations to establish an independent investigation into the recent hostilities and urged Zionist entity’s allies to suspend arms sales due to the potential for their misuse in these attacks. HRW noted that no evidence was found to justify such acts regarding the specific facilities targeted.