Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill five, including rescue workers

International Desk: PNN

At least five people were killed in consecutive Israeli airstrikes in the Majdal Zoun area of southern Lebanon. Among the dead were three civil defense rescue workers who were killed after arriving to rescue victims of the first strike, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the incident as a “heinous crime,” saying that targeting rescue workers is a clear violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime.

He said Lebanon will strongly condemn the incident at international forums and pursue diplomatic efforts against violations of ceasefire agreements.

A spokesperson for Lebanon’s Civil Defense said that after the first strike, rescue workers arrived to extract people trapped under rubble but were hit in a second strike. Their deaths were later confirmed.

Lebanon’s military said two soldiers were also injured in the incident.

According to local sources and media reports, a Lebanese army patrol and rescue team were targeted in the second strike after arriving at the site of the first attack. Bulldozers and rescue vehicles were also damaged.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said such attacks show Israel repeatedly violates international law and the rules of war, adding that rescue and medical personnel are being systematically targeted.

Human rights organizations said international silence is encouraging such incidents and called for strong action, including halting arms supplies to Israel.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed across the country in various attacks on Tuesday. Since the conflict began in March, more than a thousand people have been killed or injured in Lebanon, according to official figures.