Israel threatens to strike ambulances in Lebanon in Hezbollah fighting

Summary

• Israel warned it may strike ambulances and medical facilities in Lebanon, claiming Hezbollah misuses them for military purposes, but provided no evidence.
• Hezbollah denied the Israeli claims. Since March 2, Israeli strikes have killed at least 26 medics, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
• Israel is increasing military presence on its northern border and is planning for a long campaign against Hezbollah, with attacks on civilian infrastructure debated.

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT – The Israeli military warned on March 14 that it may strike ambulances and medical facilities, which it said were being used unlawfully by Hezbollah in Lebanon, though it did not provide evidence for the claim.

“As part of its terrorist activities, Hezbollah is using ambulances extensively for military purposes,” the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesman, Colonel Avichai Adraee, said on X, adding that such use must immediately stop.

“If this practice does not stop, Israel will act in accordance with international law against any military activity carried out by the terrorist group Hezbollah using these facilities and ambulances,” Col Adraee said.

A Hezbollah official said that the group was not using ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request to provide evidence that Hezbollah was using medical facilities or ambulances unlawfully.

At least 26 medics and first responders have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The Israeli military says it takes precautions to try to reduce any harm to civilians.

Iran-backed Hezbollah opened fire at Israel on March 2, saying it was retaliating for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Israel has since launched an extensive bombing campaign against the powerful Lebanese armed group which has killed more than 700 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more, while Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets across the border.

On March 13, Israeli aircraft dropped fliers over Beirut threatening to inflict damage on Lebanon similar to the devastation wrought on Gaza during Israel’s two-year war with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble and its population largely displaced.

During its war in Gaza Israel launched numerous raids and attacks on hospitals, saying they were being used by militants. Hamas has denied embedding among Gaza’s civilians, though some of its tunnel network has been found running beneath hospitals.

Civilian infrastructure sites, including medical facilities, are protected sites under international law. Both attacking hospitals and their use for military purposes are typically considered a breach of law, though they can lose their protected status under certain conditions.

On March 13, Israel bombed a bridge in southern Lebanon which it said was being used by Hezbollah and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to strike national infrastructure exploited by Hezbollah.

Israel has deployed more troops to its northern border with Lebanon, and has signalled it is planning for a long campaign.

An Israeli official told Reuters on March 13 that the campaign against Hezbollah would likely be intensified and continue even after strikes on Iran die down.

The official said that attacks on civilian infrastructure were being debated by the decision-makers.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on March 13 that his group was prepared for a long confrontation. REUTERS