Amnesty International has demanded investigations into Israeli attacks on health infrastructure during the conflict with Hezbollah, labeling these actions as potential war crimes. The advocacy group cites significant fatalities among health care workers and damage to medical facilities, while urging the Lebanese government to enable international accountability for these violations. The longstanding conflict has caused extensive loss of life and infrastructure damage, costing billions in reconstruction.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israel’s assaults on health care facilities, ambulances, and medical personnel during its recent military actions against Hezbollah. The organization insists that these attacks merit classification as war crimes under international law. This appeal follows a truce established on November 27, which ended more than a year of conflict between the two parties.
The Israeli military contended that Hezbollah utilized ambulances from the Islamic Health Committee to transport fighters and weaponry; however, Hezbollah has refuted these allegations. Amnesty expressed concern over the unlawful attacks on health infrastructure, stating, “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.” The human rights organization also urged the Lebanese government to empower the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged crimes committed on Lebanese soil.
During the recent hostilities, Lebanon’s former health minister, Firass Abiad, reported that there were 67 attacks on hospitals, with 40 being directly targeted, resulting in 16 fatalities. Furthermore, he indicated there were 238 assaults on emergency response organizations, leading to 206 deaths and significant damage to emergency vehicles. Amnesty noted specific incidents involving Israeli attacks on health facilities and vehicles that occurred from October 3 to 9, resulting in 19 health care worker fatalities, 11 injuries, and extensive damage to ambulances and medical facilities.
Amnesty’s investigations revealed no evidence that the targeted facilities or vehicles were utilized for military purposes during the attacks. The organization contacted the Israeli military regarding its findings but had yet to receive a response. They emphasized that the Israeli military has failed to provide sufficient justification or evidence of military targets at the sites attacked, which significantly weakened the already fragile health care system in Lebanon.
According to Lebanese authorities, the prolonged conflict resulted in upwards of 4,000 casualties. The southern regions, eastern areas, and parts of Beirut experienced substantial destruction due to Israeli airstrikes, with reconstruction costs projected to exceed $10 billion, according to local estimates.
Amnesty International’s assertions regarding Israel’s attacks on health infrastructure during the conflict with Hezbollah underscore the need for accountability and legal scrutiny of such actions. The organization’s call for investigations into alleged war crimes highlights concerns over the treatment of health care facilities and personnel during armed conflict, emphasizing the violation of international humanitarian law.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
