At least 135 healthcare workers in Lebanon have been killed by Israel since March 2, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Medics describe the country as one of the deadliest places globally for healthcare workers, with reports of Israel targeting doctors, first responders, and medical facilities.
Moustapha Hamze, a 66-year-old surgeon at Nabih Berri governmental hospital in Nabatieh, has been confined to the hospital since Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2, triggering an Israeli invasion. He described the latest conflict as the most intense he has experienced, stating he felt he and his colleagues had become a target.
Mohammed Suleiman, chief paramedic for Nabatieh emergency services, also reported that paramedics were directly targeted in this conflict, unlike previous wars. His 16-year-old son, Joud, a paramedic, was killed in March by a drone strike while bringing food to people in Nabatieh, despite wearing a paramedic uniform.
Despite a ceasefire established in June, bombing has continued in Lebanon, albeit at a slower rate, with much of it focused on Nabatieh. Medical workers reportedly remain a target, with an ambulance struck by an Israeli drone in Nabatieh al-Fawqa last Thursday.
Israel has claimed that ambulances were used to transport weapons for Hezbollah, an allegation that human rights groups like Amnesty International say is not supported by evidence.