Lebanon calls for action against Israeli assaults on health sector

Lebanese authorities called on Sunday for intensified pressure on Israel to cease its attacks on the country’s health sector amid ongoing air and ground assaults.

In a statement, the Lebanese Order of Nurses (ONS) accused Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals, medical personnel, and emergency responders in a “blatant defiance of international laws and conventions.”

“The international community, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Council of Nurses, must act swiftly to pressure Israel to protect the health sector from the devastating impacts of war,” the statement read.

“It is no longer safe for us to remain in high-risk areas to rescue the wounded, as the lives of nurses are increasingly endangered,” warned the ONS, Lebanon’s sole official body representing nursing professionals.

Since Sept. 23, Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah installations, resulting in more than 1,180 deaths, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

At least 97 medical and emergency personnel have been killed, and over 10 hospitals have suffered damage from the attacks.

This aerial campaign represents a significant escalation in the yearlong conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified following Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza that has claimed over 41,800 lives, predominantly women and children, since last year’s Hamas attack.

Lebanese authorities report that at least 2,036 people have been killed, over 9,600 injured, and 1.2 million displaced amid the ongoing violence.

The international community has raised concerns that Israeli actions in Lebanon could expand the Gaza conflict into a broader regional war.