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Israeli attacks target Lebanese paramedics in Nabatieh
Three emergency responders died in southern Lebanon on Wednesday after Israeli forces launched successive strikes on medical teams attempting to reach victims, Lebanese officials reported. The incidents occurred in Mayfadoun, a town in the Nabatieh region, where health workers have faced repeated attacks during six weeks of conflict.
Chronology of the attacks
The first assault struck a rescue team from the Islamic Health Association as they responded to an earlier Israeli bombardment. One paramedic was killed, and another remains unaccounted for, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
A second team from the same organization was then hit while en route to the scene, wounding three medics. Shortly after, two ambulances-one from the Risala Scout Association and another from the Nabatieh Ambulance Service-were targeted. Two paramedics died, and three others sustained injuries.
Victims and affiliations
Among the dead was Fadel Serhan, a 43-year-old paramedic with the Risala Scout Association. Serhan, a father of a seven-year-old girl, had been featured in a recent BBC report documenting the dangers faced by medical teams in Nabatieh.
His colleague, Ali Nasreddine, described Serhan as a devoted humanitarian. "He was always ready to help, with a great sense of humor and deep compassion," Nasreddine said. "He stayed through previous conflicts and this one, despite the risks."
The Islamic Health Association and Risala Scout Association are linked to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, respectively-both Shia Muslim groups.
Broader toll and allegations
Since hostilities began on March 2, over 2,100 people have died in Lebanon, including at least 260 women and 172 children, the health ministry stated. The figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Additionally, 91 health workers have been killed and 208 injured, with Israeli forces striking ambulances and medical facilities more than 120 times.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of exploiting medical infrastructure for military operations, though no evidence has been provided. Lebanon's health minister has denied the allegations.
"Paramedics have become direct targets, pursued in blatant violation of international humanitarian law," the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement, calling the attacks a "flagrant crime."
Legal and humanitarian concerns
Kristine Beckerle, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Amnesty International, emphasized that healthcare workers retain protected status under international law, regardless of affiliations. "Deliberately striking medics performing humanitarian duties constitutes a serious violation and could amount to a war crime," she said in a report last month.
Israeli authorities report that Hezbollah attacks have killed two civilians and 13 soldiers in Israel during the same period. The Israeli military has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest strikes.
