middleeasteye.net
Under Fire: Israel's War On Medics
Amid Israel’s ongoing wars in the Middle East, emergency workers and paramedics have faced unprecedented dangers. Last year in Lebanon, war left more than 4,000 Lebanese dead, as well as at least 125 Israelis. Among those killed were an estimated 200 Lebanese emergency workers. In Under Fire: Israel's War on Medics, Middle East Eye reports on the work of paramedics on the frontline, capturing their harrowing experience as they risk their lives to save others Hind Hassan reports from across Lebanon’s frontline, amid allegations that Israel has committed a war crime by targeting rescue and health services. UN data suggests that almost half of the attacks on paramedic staff in Lebanon resulted in a fatality. Were these teams, who are meant to be protected under international law, deliberately attacked by Israel? Did Israeli forces use similar tactics in Lebanon to those seen in Gaza, which have also drawn accusations of war crimes? With powerful footage, expert insight, firsthand testimony and investigative reporting, the film-makers reveal the devastating toll of the attacks on emergency services. Lebanese emergency worker Hussein Jaber recalls how his colleague was killed as they attended an earlier attack. “He was bleeding a lot. We took him to the hospital. We were on our way, and we were attacked by a bomb. The ambulance, it's a strange picture, there was lots of shrapnel and rocks.“ Lebanon health minister Firass Abiad: “When Israel boasts about its intelligence, that it really knows what's happening, not only in streets, but even in apartments, it's very difficult not to see in this a targeted attack.”
