Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut
Beirut, Apr 29: Nawaf Salam has accused Israel of committing a “heinous crime” after a deadly airstrike killed civil defence personnel in southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, two successive Israeli strikes on a building in Majdal Zoun on Tuesday killed five people, including three emergency rescue workers who had rushed to assist victims of the initial attack.
Condemning the incident, Salam said targeting civil defence workers while they were carrying out humanitarian duties constitutes a war crime and a clear violation of international humanitarian law. He added that the Lebanese government would raise the issue in international forums and push for an end to what it described as continued ceasefire violations.
A spokesperson for the Lebanese Civil Defence said the rescuers were trapped under rubble following the second strike and were later confirmed dead.
The Lebanese army reported that two of its soldiers were also injured in the second strike, which reportedly targeted a military patrol escorting rescue workers along with civilian equipment.
Despite a US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, hostilities have persisted, with Israeli airstrikes continuing in southern and eastern regions. In response, Hezbollah has launched rockets and drones towards Israel and contested areas.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun also condemned the attack, calling it part of a broader pattern of strikes targeting relief and medical personnel, including civil defence teams and humanitarian workers.
Human rights organisations have raised concerns over the ongoing violence. Ramzi Kaiss of Human Rights Watch said the lack of strong international response has emboldened further violations.
He urged countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and European Union members to suspend arms transfers and impose sanctions on those responsible.
The health ministry reported that at least eight people were killed in attacks across Lebanon on Tuesday alone. Since March 2, the death toll from Israeli strikes has risen to 2,534, with 7,863 people injured, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.