PM Nawaf Salam condemns ‘heinous crime’ in Majdal Zoun as civil defence workers targeted during humanitarian mission in south Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has strongly condemned Israel for what he described as a “new and described war crime” after an Israeli strike killed three civil defence rescuers and two others in the southern village of Majdal Zoun.
Two successive Israeli airstrikes hit a building in the town on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health and civil defence officials. The first strike caused casualties, prompting rescuers to rush to the scene. A second strike then hit the emergency responders as they carried out their humanitarian duties, killing three members of the Civil Defence.
“Targeting elements of the Civil Defence in Majdal Zoun, and their killing while carrying out their humanitarian duty, constitutes a new and described war crime perpetrated by Israel,” Salam said in a statement posted on social media. He vowed that Lebanon would pursue the matter in international forums and press for an end to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Civilian Deaths in Lebanon Strike Spark Outrage:
The incident has reignited accusations that Israeli forces are deliberately targeting first responders and civilians in southern Lebanon, in what rights groups and Lebanese officials describe as repeated violations of international humanitarian law. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also criticised the strikes, saying they violate protections afforded to civilians and humanitarian workers.
Civil defence sources confirmed the rescuers were trapped under rubble following the second strike before succumbing to their injuries. The attacks come amid ongoing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border despite a fragile ceasefire.
The Israeli military has not yet issued a detailed public comment on the specific strike in Majdal Zoun. In previous similar incidents, Israeli officials have maintained that operations target Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters, accusing the group of embedding military assets among civilians.
However, repeated strikes on marked ambulances, rescue teams and journalists have drawn sharp international scrutiny and condemnation from human rights organisations.
Rising Casualties Among Rescue Workers in Lebanon:
Since the escalation of hostilities, dozens of Lebanese civil defence and medical personnel have been killed. The latest deaths add to a growing list of emergency workers lost while trying to save lives in areas repeatedly hit by Israeli airstrikes.
Lebanese officials and residents in the south report increasing difficulty in accessing wounded civilians due to the risks faced by rescue teams. International calls for accountability and protection of humanitarian workers have intensified.
The Lebanese government has reiterated its commitment to upholding the ceasefire while demanding that Israel cease its “ongoing violations.” Regional and international mediators continue efforts to prevent further deterioration along the border.