Investigating Israeli Attacks on Healthcare in Lebanon as War Crimes
Amnesty International has called for investigations into the Israeli military’s unlawful attacks on healthcare facilities in Lebanon as war crimes. The Lebanese government is urged to grant the ICC jurisdiction for prosecution and ensure victims’ rights to reparations. A recent report highlighted the lethality of these attacks, resulting in numerous casualties among healthcare workers, exacerbating an already strained medical system. The importance of accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law was emphasized.
Amnesty International has asserted that the Israeli military’s numerous unlawful attacks on healthcare facilities, ambulances, and medical personnel in Lebanon during the conflict must be investigated as war crimes. These assaults, which violate international law, demand that the Lebanese government grants jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the prosecution of such crimes and secures victims’ rights to reparations.
In findings disclosed on October 9, 2024, Amnesty International identified four specific attacks that occurred between October 3 and October 9, leading to the deaths of 19 healthcare workers and injuries to 11 others. These attacks resulted in considerable damage to medical facilities and ambulances, exacerbating the strain on Lebanon’s fragile healthcare system. The Israeli military has failed to provide adequate justification for these attacks and has not evidenced any military targets in the affected locations.
Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director, emphasized that such unlawful attacks not only breach international humanitarian law but also severely harm civilian populations. She called upon the Lebanese government and the international community to ensure accountability for these actions, urging Lebanon to grant the ICC jurisdiction over all Rome Statute crimes committed on its territory.
To genuinely hold perpetrators accountable, Lebanon must urgently become a party to the Rome Statute and permit the ICC to exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed since 2002. In the interim, the country ought to make an ad hoc declaration accepting the ICC’s authority regarding all Rome Statute crimes linked to Lebanese territory. The Israeli military has accused Hezbollah of misusing medical facilities; however, Amnesty’s investigation revealed no evidence of military use during the documented attacks.
The impact of attacks on medical facilities is profound, causing severe distress for civilian populations. Even in instances where hospitals are suspected of military use, international law requires a warning to allow for patient and staff evacuation before an attack. The principle of proportionality remains fundamental, necessitating a careful assessment of military advantages versus civilian harm.
Amnesty International conducted interviews with a range of individuals, including healthcare workers and witnesses to the attacks, verifying visual evidence of 46 images and videos related to these incidents. The organization has yet to receive a response from the Israeli military regarding these findings. International humanitarian law obligates protection for medical personnel and facilities; individuals with non-combat roles linked to armed groups should not be targeted unless actively participating in hostilities.
Following a ceasefire announcement in late November 2024, healthcare workers reported ongoing challenges, including damaged facilities and the loss of colleagues. One civil defense member mentioned their team was now operating from a villager’s home, highlighting the pressing need for operational stability. Rosas reiterated the importance of investigating attacks on medical staff and facilities to ensure justice and compensation for victims, emphasizing that a ceasefire is merely a preliminary step towards broader accountability.
Before the initiation of its military operation in September 2024, Amnesty verified attacks that targeted medical personnel and facilities, which accounted for numerous fatalities among healthcare providers. Between October 2023 and November 2024, the Israeli military affected 67 hospitals and over 200 emergency teams, resulting in significant casualties among medical personnel. The capacity of the Lebanese healthcare system was already under threat due to ongoing crises, including economic collapse and the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion.
On November 27, 2024, a 60-day ceasefire was agreed upon, although violations were reported soon after. Extensions of the ceasefire were made, yet Israel continued to maintain positions in Lebanese territory. In a December 2024 briefing, Amnesty International documented further unlawful airstrikes that necessitate investigation as potential war crimes. The conflict has also seen Hezbollah’s firing of rockets into Israel, with varying claims regarding intentions.
Amnesty calls for urgent investigations into these attacks to provide justice for victims and prevent such violations from recurring in the future, highlighting that accountability is essential for moving beyond simply achieving a ceasefire.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has led to numerous violations of international humanitarian law, particularly through unlawful attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel by the Israeli military. The findings presented by Amnesty International underscore the urgent need for accountability and reparations for victims. Lebanon must allow the ICC jurisdiction over these crimes to ensure justice and prevent future occurrences, reinforcing the importance of protecting medical personnel in conflict situations.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
