Beirut: Information Minister, Attorney Dr. Paul Morcos, has submitted a comprehensive list of Israeli attacks on journalists, hospitals, and medical and emergency crews to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address violations against media and healthcare personnel in conflict zones.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, this move follows a meeting between Minister Morcos and Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of Al-Manar TV cameraman Hussein Hammoud, media professional Mohammed Sherri, and his wife, as well as injuries to several Lebanese and foreign colleagues. These incidents highlight a breach of international humanitarian law, which mandates special protection for journalists during armed conflicts.
The report submitted by Minister Morcos details significant damage to the health sector, with 70 recorded attacks on ambulance and emergency teams, damage to 9 hospitals-5 of which are completely out of service-and destruction affecting 18 ambulance centers and 44 vehicles. The human toll includes 42 fatalities, comprising 37 paramedics and 5 healthcare sector workers, and 119 injuries among paramedics and healthcare workers. These actions represent grave violations of the protections afforded to medical personnel under international law.
Minister Morcos emphasized that these attacks contravene the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, which protect civilians, including journalists and healthcare workers, by prohibiting their targeting under any circumstances. His office noted that this documentation is crucial for pursuing accountability in international forums and appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants' efforts in this regard.
In a related development, Minister Morcos is scheduled to meet with the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, at his office next Wednesday to discuss these issues further.