Lebanese health sector targeted as ceasefire durability questioned
The Lebanese government reports 116 healthcare workers killed since March escalation, while Washington imposes new sanctions on individuals linked to Hezbollah.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Friday killed at least 11 people, including healthcare workers in the Tyre district, Deir Qanoun en-Nahr, and Hannaouiyah. The violence has reignited concerns regarding the durability of the US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which entered into force in mid-April and was recently extended by 45 days. Since the ceasefire began, more than 400 people have been killed by Israeli fire.
The specific attacks targeted medical personnel and civilians in several locations. Six people were confirmed dead in Deir Qanoun en-Nahr, including two paramedics and a child. In a separate strike approximately 12km away in Hannaouiyah, four paramedics were killed. Another attack in the southern city of Nabatieh resulted in one additional fatality. The Israeli military also conducted air raids on four villages in the Tyre district on Friday.
The Lebanese government reports that since the escalation began in early March, 116 healthcare workers have been killed, 16 hospitals damaged, and 147 ambulances attacked. Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine condemned the "systematic targeted destruction of the health sector". Israel accuses Hezbollah of using health facilities to conceal weapons and fighters, a claim the Lebanese government rejects.
Since the escalation in early March, Israeli attacks have killed at least 2,896 people in Lebanon, injured more than 8,824, and displaced more than 1.6 million people, representing approximately one-fifth of the population. The ceasefire marks the first direct diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel in over three decades, but Hezbollah has continued to trade attacks with Israel despite the agreement.
In a related development, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned nine individuals linked to Hezbollah on Thursday. The sanctions include an Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, a Lebanese army officer, and individuals working in parliament and security sectors. The Lebanese military rejected the sanction against the officer, asserting that all soldiers are loyal and denying accusations of sharing information with Hezbollah.
The Lebanese government pledged to disarm Hezbollah in August, a task described as extremely difficult given the group’s significant influence and armed wing, which is stronger than the official state army. Israel insists it will continue to target the Hezbollah armed group, which opposed the Lebanese government’s agreement on the ceasefire.
