Amnesty International calls for war crimes probe into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health sector
Beirut, Lebanon: Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics, and health facilities during its recent conflict with Hezbollah, urging that these actions be examined as potential war crimes.
The human rights organisation stated that Israel’s military had repeatedly targeted medical institutions and personnel, which are protected under international law. “The Israeli military’s repeated unlawful attacks during the war in Lebanon on health facilities, ambulances, and health workers must be investigated as war crimes,” Amnesty said.
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah lasted for over a year, with two months of full-scale conflict that saw Israeli ground forces deployed. The hostilities effectively ended with a truce on 27 November, as reported by AFP.
During the conflict, the Israeli military alleged that Hezbollah was using ambulances operated by the Islamic Health Committee to transport fighters and weapons. However, Hezbollah denied these claims.
Amnesty International investigated four Israeli strikes on medical vehicles and facilities in Beirut and southern Lebanon between 3 and 9 October last year. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 19 medical personnel, injuries to 11 others, and the destruction of multiple ambulances and two medical facilities. The organisation stated it found no evidence that these facilities or vehicles were being used for military purposes at the time.
Lebanon’s then-health minister, Firass Abiad, reported in December that Israeli strikes had killed 16 people in 67 attacks on hospitals, including 40 direct strikes. He also noted 238 attacks on emergency response organisations, resulting in 206 deaths, and the targeting of 256 emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances.
Amnesty urged the Lebanese government to grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction to investigate crimes committed on Lebanese territory and ensure victims’ right to legal recourse.
The rights group said it had sent a letter detailing its findings to the Israeli military in November but had not received a response. “The Israeli military has not provided sufficient justifications or specific evidence of military targets being present at the strike locations,” Amnesty stated, adding that the repeated attacks had further weakened Lebanon’s already fragile healthcare system.
According to Lebanese authorities, the conflict resulted in over 4,000 deaths and caused widespread devastation in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs. The reconstruction costs are estimated to exceed $10 billion.
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Dr Boby Chemmanur felicitated at Vidhana Soudha by Speaker UT Khader for world record run
Bengaluru: Dr Boby Chemmanur was felicitated by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader Fareed at a special function held at Vidhana Soudha.
Dr Chemmanur, popularly known as “BoChe”, was honoured for successfully completing an 812-kilometre run aimed at spreading the message of world peace. The achievement earned him recognition in the Unique World Records and the Guinness World Records.
Dr Chemmanur has also received several prestigious awards and honours, including the Mother Teresa Award, for his contributions to social service.
Speaker U.T. Khader also spoke about Dr Chemmanur’s achievement in the Legislative Assembly and congratulated him for the accomplishment.
Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani, Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy and MLA and Chief Minister’s legal advisor Ponnanna were present on the occasion.
