BEIRUT - According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, since October 8 the Israeli regime has launched 55 attacks on hospitals and 201 on ambulances.

The majority of hospitals that have been targeted are those affiliated with the Islamic Health Association and the Islamic Resala Scouts due to the poor functioning of government hospitals in war conditions.

Due to the lack of any government plan to upgrade the health system, most hospitals are functioning poorly. They have been affected partially or completely by the Israeli bombardments.

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, 80% of the Israeli attacks on hospitals are concentrated in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Bint Jbeil, Baalbek, Tyre, Nabatieh, and Hermel. 11 out of 36 hospitals have been targeted at least twice.

Although the war is concentrated in the southern border areas, the hospitals that have suffered severe damage are in Nabatieh, the southern suburbs, Baalbek and Hermel. However, some hospitals in the border areas are still operating despite the threats and limited facilities. They are withstanding the scarcity of medical, electrical and water supplies. 

The Israeli military is also targeting paramedics to discourage them from rescuing those trapped under the rubble to ensure the killing of those targeted. 

More than 88% of the attacks have been focused on ambulance teams in the southern border districts, especially Tyre, Nabatieh, Marjeyoun and Bint Jbeil.  151 health workers have been killed and 212 others injured. 

74% of the attacks have occurred during relief missions, which explains why Israel has destroyed 230 ambulances and fire trucks, while 26% of the raids on paramedics have targeted relief centers. 

Targeting paramedics is considered a war crime. Targeting them increases the overall death rate in wars, as they are responsible for providing relief to the injured and rescuing civilians caught in the rubble. 

95% of the attacks on paramedics are concentrated in the South and Nabatieh governorates. They specifically target the ambulance teams affiliated with the Islamic Resala Scouts Association and the Islamic Health Authority.

89% of the crew of these two associations have been targeted, with every 4 attacks resulting in the murder of 3 paramedics. 

Fire brigades are also being deliberately targeted. During the Barachit massacre on October 7, 12 fire engines were destroyed and 14 paramedics were martyred. 

On October 3, during the assassination of Hezbollah Executive Council chief Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, 6 paramedics were martyred and two others wounded.

The primary goal of these attacks is a mass displacement of more residents of the south, the Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israel considers them supporters of Hezbollah. It also destroys their infrastructure, basically health facilities, to prevent their return after the war.

Besides, one of the punitive strategies that the Zionist enemy seeks is to increase health risks in shelters during the fall and the accompanying infectious diseases that negatively affect individuals’ immunity.