Israel Strikes Lebanon Rescue Workers, Kills Three Civil Defence Members in Majdal Zoun

A series of Israeli airstrikes on a building in Majdal Zoun, southern Lebanon, have resulted in the deaths of five people, among them three members of the Lebanese Civil Defence. Lebanese officials stated that the emergency workers were dispatched to aid casualties from an initial strike when a subsequent attack trapped them under rubble.

The Lebanese health ministry confirmed the deaths of Hussein Ghadbouni, Hussein Sati, and Hadi Daher, identifying them as the three rescue workers. The ministry did not name the other two fatalities, though two Lebanese army soldiers were also wounded in the incident. Israel has been approached for comment regarding the attacks.

This 'double-tap' tactic, involving an initial strike followed by a second, often targeting civilians and first responders, has been documented in both Lebanon and Gaza. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have stated that deliberate attacks on healthcare personnel performing humanitarian duties could constitute a war crime.

The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, commenced on 2 March following rocket fire into Israel, which was met with widespread Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion. Over 2,500 individuals have been killed in Lebanon since then, including 103 health professionals, according to the Lebanese health ministry. This figure includes at least 270 women and over 170 children. Two civilians have died in Hezbollah attacks in Israel, while Israeli authorities report 16 soldiers and one civilian killed in Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the targeting of rescuers as a "war crime perpetrated by Israel," highlighting ongoing violations of a US-brokered ceasefire. This agreement, which Hezbollah was not party to but indicated it would respect if Israel did, includes broad language allowing Israel to take "all necessary measures in self-defence."

Approximately 5% of Lebanese territory, a 5 to 10km strip along the border, remains under Israeli occupation, with Israel citing the creation of a security buffer zone. The Israeli military confirmed hitting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, claiming to have killed "three Hezbollah terrorists" on Tuesday, and previously struck the eastern Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah, in turn, has launched rocket and drone attacks, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire, with one Israeli soldier killed and another severely wounded in recent drone incidents.