Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israeli attacks on health facilities during its conflict with Hezbollah, urging Lebanon to enable the International Criminal Court to prosecute war crimes. As reported, the airstrikes resulted in significant civilian casualties and damage. Additionally, South Africa condemned Israel’s blockade of aid in Gaza, labeling it as starvation weaponization and highlighting the humanitarian emergency unfolding there.
Amnesty International has urged an investigation into Israel’s attacks on the health sector during its recent conflict with Hezbollah, labeling these acts as potential war crimes. The organization emphasized that the Lebanese government should enable the International Criminal Court to prosecute such offenses occurring within Lebanese territory. This call comes in light of a ceasefire agreement that halted extensive hostilities between the two parties after nearly a year’s duration, including two months of intense warfare.
During the conflict, accusations emerged from the Israeli military that Hezbollah was misusing ambulances for transporting fighters and weapons, which Hezbollah has vigorously denied. Amnesty International reported that Israel’s actions included repeated unlawful attacks on health facilities, ambulances, and medical personnel, all of which should be investigated under international law. The organization stated that “the Israeli military’s repeated unlawful attacks during the war in Lebanon on health facilities, ambulances, and health workers… must be investigated as war crimes.”
According to information provided by Lebanon’s then health minister, Firass Abiad, there had been numerous assaults on hospitals and first responders, resulting in significant casualties. Specific statistics indicated 67 attacks on hospitals and 238 on emergency response organizations, leading to 206 fatalities. Additionally, more than 250 emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were targeted throughout the conflict.
Amnesty International conducted an analysis of four incidents involving attacks on medical facilities in Beirut and southern Lebanon. Their investigation revealed a tragic loss of life, with 19 healthcare workers killed and 11 injured due to these attacks. Significantly, Amnesty found no evidence that the targeted facilities or vehicles were being used for military purposes at the time of the assaults.
The consequences of these conflicts have been severe, with over 4,000 fatalities reported, and extensive damage sustained across southern and eastern Lebanon, pushing reconstruction costs to exceed $10 billion.
Further illustrating the humanitarian crisis, South Africa publicly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, claiming that its blockade on aid deliveries constituted the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The South African government pointed to ongoing suffering as humanitarian aid access remained restricted, calling for accountability from the international community regarding Israel’s actions.
South Africa recently submitted a case to the International Court of Justice, asserting that Israel’s actions in Gaza violate the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, a claim Israel has fiercely rejected. This situation has garnered support from various nations, emphasizing the global consequences of the conflict in the region.
The situation in the West Bank also escalated, with South Africa condemning the expansion of Israeli military operations as a threat to Palestinian self-determination. The ongoing military presence signifies a troubling intent to reintroduce complete military occupation, intensifying regional tensions and human rights concerns.
In summary, the call by Amnesty International for investigations into Israeli attacks on health facilities highlights serious humanitarian and legal concerns in the context of the recent conflict with Hezbollah. The extensive casualties and damage reported accentuate the urgent need for accountability. Concurrently, South Africa’s denunciation of Israel’s actions in Gaza underscores a growing international response to what is perceived as violations of human rights and potential war crimes. As these situations develop, they demand the attention and action of the global community.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
