On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed 7 paramedics out of 12, and wounded others, in a raid on the Islamic Medical Association centre in Al-Habbariyeh town, southern Lebanon.
The administration of the Lebanese Ambulance Association, which supervises the Emergency and Relief Service, mourned 7 volunteers who were killed in the bombing of the centre, confirming in a statement that this targeting represents “a heinous crime, and a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions”. iI also held the perpetrators “fully responsible,” and called on the Lebanese authorities to “take the necessary measures to pursue Israel.”
This attack is a clear violation of international humanitarian law, which affirms that medical personnel must never lose their lives while providing support to their communities.
Meanwhile, the IOF has killed 3 Palestinians in Jenin and Jenin camp on Wednesday morning.
Those killed are Hamza Ararawi, 27, from Al-Ain camp in Nablus, and Mohamed Nasser Al-Sabti, 19, from Jenin camp, in a bombing of a group of young men in Al-Damj neighborhood.
The IOF also shot dead Ayman Yousef Hassan Azouqa, 19, in Jenin.
A large force of the IOF had stormed the city of Jenin from Nablus Street, and raided a number of homes in the neighbourhoods of Al-Jabriyat, Jabal Abu Dhahir, Al-Sikka, and Khallet Al-Souha.
Occupation snipers mounted the roofs of a number of houses and buildings and started targeting civilians, while the IOF demolished a memorial at the Asfour roundabout at the southern entrance to Jenin.
The IOF also blew up a car in the vicinity of Al-Razi Hospital in the Al-Marah neighborhood, east of Jenin, and arrested 3 young men from inside it before the bombing. Those arrested include Usaid Abbas and Diya Abbas, residents of Al-Zababdeh town, while many citizens were stopped, investigated, and assaulted before being released.
Occupation bulldozers continued to destroy streets and infrastructure in the Jabriyat neighbourhood and on the outskirts of Jenin camp.
Various parts of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, are witnessing daily raids and incursions into villages and towns by the IOF, where arrests, shooting and gas bombs at Palestinians take place, in addition to repeated attacks by settlers.
International humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions, prohibits attacks that do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, and obliges all warring parties to take all possible measures to spare civilians from the scourge of war. Directly targeting civilians is also a war crime under international law.
A comprehensive and independent investigation into this incident needs to be carried out to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and justice is provided to the victims and their families. The international community must also intensify its efforts to protect civilians in conflict areas, and work to find lasting solutions that guarantee security and peace for all parties concerned.
