Israels actions in Lebanon deemed war crimes by Lebanese PM

Lebanese Government Accuses Israel of Violating International Law

A double Israeli strike in southern Lebanon’s town of Majdal Zoun killed five people, including three rescue workers who were on a mission to assist those injured in the initial attack. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that the rescuers were trapped under rubble by the second strike and later confirmed dead.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the incident as a “heinous crime” and stated that targeting elements of the Civil Defence constitutes a war crime perpetrated by Israel, violating international humanitarian law. He vowed to condemn the incident in international forums and mobilize efforts to compel Israel to cease its ceasefire agreement violations.

A spokesperson for the Lebanese Civil Defence confirmed the deaths of the three rescuers, while two troops were wounded in the second strike that targeted their forces, rescue workers, and civilian bulldozers. Israeli forces attacked a Lebanese military patrol escorting the civil defence workers on the rescue mission.

The incident is part of a series of attacks targeting relief and first aid workers, according to President Joseph Aoun. He stated that Israel continues to violate international laws and conventions protecting civilians, paramedics, and humanitarian workers.

Human Rights Watch researcher Ramzi Kaiss criticized the international community’s silence around Israel’s war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza, saying it has emboldened the Israeli military’s atrocities. He called for suspending arms sales and military assistance to Israel and imposing targeted sanctions on officials implicated in ongoing grave crimes.

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 2,534, with 7,863 people wounded, according to the Health Ministry.

Source: Al Jazeera