Field sources documented the extensive damage caused by the intense Israeli shelling of a medical center in the town of Burj Qalawiyah, located in southern Lebanon. This raid resulted in a bloody massacre against the ambulance crews of the Islamic Health Authority, with 12 paramedics immediately martyred and 9 others sustaining injuries of varying severity.
The intensity of the explosions led to the complete collapse of the medical building and damage to its internal floors, creating significant obstacles for rescue teams and journalists to reach the scene. This crime comes amid immense pressures facing the Lebanese health system due to continuous raids and forced evacuation orders imposed by the occupation army in the southern regions.
A report issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Health revealed a disturbing statistic indicating that the number of martyrs among paramedics has risen to 26 in the last two weeks alone. These figures reflect the extent of the dangers facing medical personnel who are trying to perform their humanitarian duty amidst direct and systematic targeting of health facilities.
In an attempt to justify these attacks, the Israeli occupation army claimed that some ambulances are used to transport combat equipment, allegations that observers considered a cover to legitimize the targeting of medical teams. This approach constitutes a blatant violation of international laws that grant special immunity to hospitals and relief workers during armed conflicts.
Scenes from the town of Burj Qalawiyah showed thick plumes of smoke rising and difficulty moving through the accumulated rubble and swirling dust that covered the area. Press sources in Nabatieh reported that field conditions have become almost impossible for medical teams trying to retrieve victims or provide first aid to the injured under the threat of repeated shelling.
Internationally, condemnations of this attack followed, with Spain issuing a strongly worded statement condemning the targeting of the medical facility in Burj Qalawiyah. The statement emphasized the need to neutralize health entities and strictly adhere to international conventions that guarantee the safety of paramedics and facilitate their tasks in saving lives.
Health teams in Lebanon face unprecedented challenges, as the shelling has caused a number of hospitals to go out of service, either completely or partially. Securing urgent protection for medical personnel has become a top priority to ensure the continuation of humanitarian services in affected areas suffering from a severe shortage of essential medical supplies.
The Israeli attack on the medical facility in Burj Qalawiyah is a clear violation of international agreements and humanitarian conventions that guarantee the protection of healthcare workers.
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Massacre in Burj Qalawiyah: 12 Paramedics Martyred in Israeli Raid Targeting a Medical Center in Southern Lebanon