Amnesty International has called for investigations into Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s healthcare system during conflicts with Hezbollah, suggesting these actions could amount to war crimes. Concurrently, South Africa has denounced Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza as equivalent to using starvation as a weapon of war, urging international accountability and emphasizing the urgent needs of the affected populations.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israeli attacks on Lebanese healthcare facilities during the recent conflict with Hezbollah, labeling these actions as potential war crimes. Following a truce on November 27 that ended over a year of hostilities, including intense violence over two months, Amnesty highlighted the targeting of ambulances, medical personnel, and health structures by Israeli forces.
The Israeli military previously accused Hezbollah of misusing ambulances for military purposes. However, Amnesty stated, “The Israeli military’s repeated unlawful attacks…must be investigated as war crimes.” They urged the Lebanese government to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to address these violations under the Rome Statute, advocating for victims’ rights to justice.
Lebanon’s former health minister reported at least 67 attacks on hospitals, with 40 targeted directly, resulting in 16 fatalities, alongside numerous assaults on emergency services that claimed 206 lives. Amnesty’s investigations confirmed significant attacks on healthcare workers and facilities, leading to 19 deaths and severe damage to ambulances and medical sites.
Amnesty found no military use of these facilities at the time of Israeli attacks, while evidence required to justify such strikes has not been provided by the Israeli military. The result of the conflict has been catastrophic, with more than 4,000 casualties and reconstruction costs anticipated to exceed $10 billion.
In a separate issue, South Africa condemned Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating it amounts to using starvation as a weapon in warfare. As aid flows resumed briefly with the ceasefire in January, Israel’s recent blockade was highlighted as worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region, reflecting potential genocidal actions against Palestinians, a claim reinforced by the International Court of Justice.
Moreover, South Africa criticized Israel’s military operations in the occupied West Bank, marking an escalation that threatens Palestinian self-determination. With heightened military presence in the West Bank, South Africa fears it reflects intentions to restore extensive military control, which poses a significant threat to peace.
Overall, both Amnesty International and South Africa’s reports underline urgent humanitarian needs and calls for accountability concerning violations occurring within these conflict zones.
The article emphasizes the serious allegations made by Amnesty International regarding Israeli military actions against healthcare in Lebanon, which they claim warrant war crime investigations. Additionally, South Africa’s condemnation of Israel’s blockade on Gaza highlights the dire humanitarian situation, portraying it as an act of warfare through starvation. Both cases underscore significant concerns about human rights violations and international accountability in the context of ongoing regional conflicts.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
