Lebanon: Unacceptable Killing of Paramedics by Israeli Forces - Call for the Protection of Medical and Rescue Workers
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) strongly condemns the killing of two paramedics in Lebanon by Israeli forces and urges the immediate protection of medical and rescue workers.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 02:29
- 🔍 Collected: May 15, 2026 at 17:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 15, 2026 at 19:33 (2h 0m after Collected)
Frequent attacks on paramedics in Lebanon = May 14, 2026 © MSF
On May 12 in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, two paramedics were killed in a drone attack by the Israeli military. Many similar attacks have been reported in Lebanon previously. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which conducts medical relief activities locally, strongly condemns this attack. We once again strongly call for the protection of those involved in medical and rescue operations.
Paramedics killed while conducting rescue operations
The victims were paramedics from the Lebanese Civil Defense who were engaged in rescuing people injured by an Israeli military attack. A drone strike targeted three paramedics, killing two on the spot. The other was injured and transported to Najdeh Al-Chaabiyeh Hospital, where MSF operates, for treatment. Paramedics from the hospital's ambulance team witnessed the attack on their colleagues and later returned to the scene to recover the bodies.
Jeremy Ristot, MSF Head of Mission in Lebanon, appeals:
"We are deeply outraged by the killing of paramedics who were undertaking their duties at immense personal risk to save lives. Attacks on healthcare are completely unacceptable and must never become normalized."
In recent months, MSF has strengthened its support for Najdeh Hospital to cope with the large number of injured. Simultaneously, we are working across Nabatieh Governorate alongside paramedics, including the Lebanese Civil Defense, who transport patients to medical facilities day and night amid profound loss and fear.
Severe impact on life-saving operations
The events of May 12 are part of a grim trend. Over the past few weeks in Lebanon, MSF has witnessed hospitals, ambulances, and medical equipment destroyed by airstrikes, drone attacks, and shelling, causing death and injury to civilians, healthcare workers, and first responders. Lebanese health authorities, media, and humanitarian organizations other than MSF have also reported repeated attacks on paramedics during rescue operations.
In Nabatieh and southern Lebanon, rescue and medical teams are increasingly forced to delay or restrict life-saving responses due to the fear of being targeted. According to MSF-supported ambulance teams, they can only remain at a scene for a few minutes due to the risk of secondary attacks, and the use of heavy machinery is avoided. As a result, the injured are left trapped under rubble for hours, or in some cases, days. MSF has treated people whose conditions became critical due to these delayed responses, including some whose severe trauma worsened and led to death.
Since MSF began supporting Najdeh Al-Chaabiyeh Hospital in early March, 725 injured people have been treated, but 232 were either dead upon arrival or died in the hospital.
MSF staff examining a patient alongside local Ministry of Health staff at Jabal Amel Hospital in southern Lebanon = April 20, 2026 © MSF
Call to stop attacks on healthcare
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 161 attacks on healthcare were recorded between March 2 and May 12, resulting in 110 deaths and 252 injuries. Even after the start of the ceasefire on April 17, 15 attacks occurred, resulting in 12 deaths and 21 injuries. The ceasefire has not led to a cessation of hostilities, nor has it enabled displaced people to return or ensured the safety of those trapped in heavily attacked areas.
Healthcare workers, first responders, ambulances, and medical facilities are protected under international humanitarian law. The killing of these individuals not only has a profound impact on their families and colleagues but also further weakens an already overstretched emergency response and healthcare system.
MSF strongly urges an immediate halt to attacks on medical and rescue personnel and facilities, and an end to the violence that continues to endanger civilians and rescue workers.
MSF's activities in Lebanon:
MSF supports emergency response activities, including those by the Lebanese Civil Defense, in Nabatieh Governorate and southern Lebanon. We provide ambulance equipment, medicines and supplies for first aid, fuel, and protective gear.
Furthermore, we provide fuel, supplies, and medicines to seven hospitals, and in four of those, we provide emergency response alongside hospital staff. We also conduct mobile clinics in two governorates to provide medical services to local communities.
On May 12 in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, two paramedics were killed in a drone attack by the Israeli military. Many similar attacks have been reported in Lebanon previously. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which conducts medical relief activities locally, strongly condemns this attack. We once again strongly call for the protection of those involved in medical and rescue operations.
Paramedics killed while conducting rescue operations
The victims were paramedics from the Lebanese Civil Defense who were engaged in rescuing people injured by an Israeli military attack. A drone strike targeted three paramedics, killing two on the spot. The other was injured and transported to Najdeh Al-Chaabiyeh Hospital, where MSF operates, for treatment. Paramedics from the hospital's ambulance team witnessed the attack on their colleagues and later returned to the scene to recover the bodies.
Jeremy Ristot, MSF Head of Mission in Lebanon, appeals:
"We are deeply outraged by the killing of paramedics who were undertaking their duties at immense personal risk to save lives. Attacks on healthcare are completely unacceptable and must never become normalized."
In recent months, MSF has strengthened its support for Najdeh Hospital to cope with the large number of injured. Simultaneously, we are working across Nabatieh Governorate alongside paramedics, including the Lebanese Civil Defense, who transport patients to medical facilities day and night amid profound loss and fear.
Severe impact on life-saving operations
The events of May 12 are part of a grim trend. Over the past few weeks in Lebanon, MSF has witnessed hospitals, ambulances, and medical equipment destroyed by airstrikes, drone attacks, and shelling, causing death and injury to civilians, healthcare workers, and first responders. Lebanese health authorities, media, and humanitarian organizations other than MSF have also reported repeated attacks on paramedics during rescue operations.
In Nabatieh and southern Lebanon, rescue and medical teams are increasingly forced to delay or restrict life-saving responses due to the fear of being targeted. According to MSF-supported ambulance teams, they can only remain at a scene for a few minutes due to the risk of secondary attacks, and the use of heavy machinery is avoided. As a result, the injured are left trapped under rubble for hours, or in some cases, days. MSF has treated people whose conditions became critical due to these delayed responses, including some whose severe trauma worsened and led to death.
Since MSF began supporting Najdeh Al-Chaabiyeh Hospital in early March, 725 injured people have been treated, but 232 were either dead upon arrival or died in the hospital.
MSF staff examining a patient alongside local Ministry of Health staff at Jabal Amel Hospital in southern Lebanon = April 20, 2026 © MSF
Call to stop attacks on healthcare
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 161 attacks on healthcare were recorded between March 2 and May 12, resulting in 110 deaths and 252 injuries. Even after the start of the ceasefire on April 17, 15 attacks occurred, resulting in 12 deaths and 21 injuries. The ceasefire has not led to a cessation of hostilities, nor has it enabled displaced people to return or ensured the safety of those trapped in heavily attacked areas.
Healthcare workers, first responders, ambulances, and medical facilities are protected under international humanitarian law. The killing of these individuals not only has a profound impact on their families and colleagues but also further weakens an already overstretched emergency response and healthcare system.
MSF strongly urges an immediate halt to attacks on medical and rescue personnel and facilities, and an end to the violence that continues to endanger civilians and rescue workers.
MSF's activities in Lebanon:
MSF supports emergency response activities, including those by the Lebanese Civil Defense, in Nabatieh Governorate and southern Lebanon. We provide ambulance equipment, medicines and supplies for first aid, fuel, and protective gear.
Furthermore, we provide fuel, supplies, and medicines to seven hospitals, and in four of those, we provide emergency response alongside hospital staff. We also conduct mobile clinics in two governorates to provide medical services to local communities.