BEIRUT: An Israeli airstrike on a primary healthcare centre in southern Lebanon killed at least 12 medical personnel, the Lebanese health ministry said on Saturday, as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate.
In a statement, the ministry said the strike targeted a healthcare facility in the town of Burj Qalawiya, killing doctors, paramedics, and nurses who were on duty at the centre. One additional healthcare worker was injured while rescue operations were still ongoing.
The ministry said the attack was the second incident targeting the health sector within a few hours. Earlier, a separate strike in the town of Sawaneh killed two paramedics affiliated with Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal movement.
Lebanon’s health ministry condemned the strike on one of its facilities within the country’s nationwide primary healthcare network, describing the continued targeting of medical workers as a violation of international humanitarian law.
According to the ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 773 people and injured 1,933 others across Lebanon.
Lebanon has been drawn deeper into the wider Middle East conflict in recent weeks. Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the opening wave of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, according to AFP.
Israel had already been carrying out strikes in Lebanon despite a 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah. Since the latest escalation, Israeli forces have intensified air raids across the country and deployed ground troops near the border in response to Hezbollah’s drone and rocket attacks.
