Israeli Strikes Kill Three Paramedics in Southern Lebanon

Three paramedics were killed in successive Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanese officials reported. The incidents occurred in the town of Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh region. The strikes affected teams responding to an initial attack site.

A team from the Islamic Health Association, an emergency service, was attacked while attempting to rescue people from the site of an Israeli strike, according to the Lebanese health ministry. One paramedic was killed, and another remains missing. A second team from the same association was then attacked, resulting in three paramedics wounded.

Subsequently, two ambulances from the Risala Scout Association and the Nabatieh Ambulance Service, which had been deployed to the area, were also struck. Two paramedics were killed, and three others were wounded in these attacks. The Israeli military has been approached for comment but has not yet responded.

Background on the Conflict The attacks took place amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shia Muslim militia and political party.

The war in Lebanon began on March 2, 2026. Over the past six weeks, Nabatieh has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli military actions. One of the victims was a 43-year-old paramedic with the Risala Scout Association, who had been featured in a BBC report earlier this month.

The report followed his team in Nabatieh, where they operated from a tent outside Nabih Berri Hospital. Their station in Mayfadoun had been destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the early days of the war, which killed one person. The Risala Scout Association is affiliated with the Amal Movement, a Shia Muslim group.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes, though no evidence was provided in such statements. Lebanon's health minister has denied these accusations.

Casualties and Health Sector Impact Since the start of the war on March 2, more than 2,100 people have been killed and 7,000 wounded in Lebanon, according to the health ministry.

These figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians and include at least 260 women and 172 children. The ministry reported that 91 health professionals have been killed and 208 wounded, with over 120 Israeli attacks on ambulances and medical facilities recorded. " — Lebanese Health Ministry (BBC News) Lebanon's government condemned the killing of the paramedics as a flagrant crime.

The health ministry stated that the attacks constituted a violation of international humanitarian law. Over the same period, Hezbollah attacks have killed two civilians in Israel, while 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities. The incidents highlight risks to healthcare workers in conflict zones.

International humanitarian law protects civilians, including medical personnel, regardless of affiliations. Deliberate strikes on medics performing humanitarian functions could constitute war crimes, as noted in reports from human rights organizations.