Amnesty International urges investigations into Israeli attacks on health services in Lebanon as potential war crimes, referencing a year of conflict capped by a truce. They reported extensive assaults on health facilities and emphasized the necessity for accountability through international law. The report highlights considerable loss of life and infrastructure damage in Lebanon during this period.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israeli attacks on ambulances, paramedics, and health facilities in Lebanon, labeling these actions as potential war crimes. This statement follows a truce that ended over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which included two months of intensive military actions.
Israel accused Hezbollah of exploiting ambulances for military transportation, a claim the group denies. Amnesty stressed that the ongoing unlawful attacks on health entities during the conflict must be scrutinized under international law.
The organization urged the Lebanese government to allow the International Criminal Court to investigate these crimes and guarantee victims’ access to remedy. Lebanon’s health minister reported significant assaults on hospitals and emergency services during the conflict.
Amnesty International highlighted that they documented four Israeli assaults in Beirut and southern Lebanon that led to casualties among healthcare workers and destruction of medical resources. They found no evidence to support military use of health facilities at the time of these strikes, despite the Israeli military’s accusations.
The report indicated that the Israeli military had not justified their actions adequately. The Lebanese authorities estimate over 4,000 fatalities from the year-long conflict, alongside substantial infrastructure damage with reconstruction costs projected to exceed $10 billion.
Amnesty International’s demand for accountability highlights the violation of international law regarding the protection of health services amid conflict. The call for investigations underscores the severity of attacks on medical facilities and emphasizes the need for oversight by international bodies. With considerable civilian casualties and widespread destruction, the situation calls for urgent humanitarian and legal resolutions.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
