Islam Times - Israeli Strikes Ravage Southern Lebanon, Targeting Paramedics, Civilians

Islam Times - Israeli drone strikes killed two paramedics and injured four others in southern Lebanon on Saturday, sparking outrage over deliberate targeting of health workers.

The Lebanese Health Ministry stated that “an Israeli drone targeted a rescue team on Saturday as they were heading to the town of Ain Baal in the Tyre district to carry out their emergency work.”

A second rescue team, dispatched to assist those injured in the initial strike, was also attacked.

The Ministry condemned the strikes, which resulted in “two martyrs and four injuries from both teams,” and called on the international community to take “a firm stance against the Israeli army's violation of international laws and its disregard for any deterrent measures.”

The attack comes as Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation orders to residents of five towns in southern Lebanon—East Zotar, West Zotar, Arnoun, Yahmar, and al-Qasiba.

Claiming without evidence that these towns were hosting Hezbollah fighters, Adraee warned that Israeli operations against the areas would begin shortly.

He also cautioned residents against moving south, stating it “could be dangerous to your life.”

Such warnings are typically followed by airstrikes, escalating fears among residents.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry and other officials accuse Israel of targeting healthcare workers deliberately.

The World Health Organization reported that Israeli forces have killed 226 on-duty health workers and injured 199 others in Lebanon over the past year, with nearly two-thirds of casualties occurring since tensions with Hezbollah intensified in September.

Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon has also caused widespread destruction, including an airstrike that flattened an eight-story residential building in central Beirut, 2 kilometers (1.3 miles) from the parliament, where at least 20 people were killed, and 66 were wounded in the attack.

Lebanese authorities report that Israeli strikes have killed over 3,600 people, injured more than 15,300, and displaced over 1 million since October.

Additionally, Israel targeted the Jousieh border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, days after a strike on Syria’s Palmyra city killed 36 people.