Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine has announced that at least 108 paramedics and health workers have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2, as Israel continues to attack the country despite a ceasefire, reports Anadolu.

Speaking at a media conference in Beirut, Nassereddine said authorities have documented 163 direct Israeli attacks targeting the Red Cross. Lebanese, the General Directorate of Civil Defense of Lebanon, the Risala Scout Islamic Association, the Islamic Health Organization, the Nabatieh Ambulance Association and the People’s Ambulance Authority.

“The number of martyrs has reached 108 paramedics and heroic health workers,” Nassereddine said, adding that 108 ambulances and firefighting vehicles were completely destroyed, while 16 hospitals were attacked and four hospitals have been forcibly closed.

International humanitarian law gives special protection to medical personnel, medical assistants and health facilities during armed conflicts.

According to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Additional Protocol I of 1977, medical workers must be respected and protected in all circumstances as long as they perform humanitarian tasks and do not participate in combat.

Even in cases where the facilities medical equipment is suspected of being used for military purposes, international humanitarian law requires clear evidence, prior warning and a reasonable time limit before any attack, while all possible measures must be taken to avoid harming civilians and medical personnel.

Nassereddine also said that the total number of casualties since the expansion of Israeli attacks on March 2 has reached 2,882 killed and 8,768 wounded.

He added that 380 people have been killed and 1,122 injured since the ceasefire agreement took effect on April 17, which it described as “fragile and unrealistic”.

On April 17, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire agreement, which was then extended until May 17.

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Source: prizrenpost