Amnesty International has called for investigations into Israeli attacks on healthcare facilities during the conflict with Hezbollah, claiming these constitute war crimes. Concurrently, South Africa has condemned the use of starvation in Gaza as a weapon of war, urging accountability from the international community. Both situations highlight grave concerns regarding humanitarian law violations.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israeli attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities during its recent conflict with Hezbollah, categorizing these actions as potential war crimes. Following a truce agreement on November 27, which largely ended a protracted conflict, the rights organization emphasized the need for accountability given the reported assaults on hospitals and ambulances in Lebanon.
The organization urged the Lebanese government to grant the International Criminal Court the jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violations committed in Lebanese territory under the Rome Statute. Amnesty highlighted a report that detailed numerous attacks, including 67 incidents targeting hospitals, resulting in 16 fatalities, as well as 238 assaults on emergency response organizations, leading to 206 deaths.
Throughout the conflict, the Israeli military accused Hezbollah of misusing ambulances for combat purposes, yet these claims were denied by the Islamic Health Committee. Amnesty’s investigation found no evidence to support claims that the facilities were engaged in military activity when attacked, noting significant civilian casualties including 19 health professionals killed during Israeli operations.
The destruction of healthcare infrastructure exacerbated an already fragile healthcare system, as emphasized by the failure of the Israeli military to provide substantial justification for these attacks. More than 4,000 individuals reportedly lost their lives during hostilities, with reconstruction costs anticipated to exceed $10 billion, as reported by Lebanese authorities.
In a related context, South Africa has condemned Israel’s restriction of humanitarian aid to Gaza, characterizing it as a deliberate weaponization of starvation. The South African foreign ministry, while referencing its case at the International Court of Justice, stated that the blockade severely undermines the essential supply of food and medical assistance to the people of Gaza.
As hostilities continue, South Africa has echoed calls for international accountability for Israel’s actions, asserting that the nation seeks to address alleged violations of the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, an allegation that Israel denies vigorously. On the ground, South Africa decried Israel’s military operations in the occupied West Bank and urged for respect of Palestinian self-determination and statehood aspirations.
In summary, the call for a thorough investigation into Israeli actions during the recent Lebanon conflict highlights serious allegations of war crimes against healthcare workers and facilities. Simultaneously, international attention has been drawn to Israel’s actions in Gaza, as South Africa presses for accountability regarding the humanitarian crisis. These developments underscore the urgent need for adherence to international humanitarian law and advocacy for the rights of affected populations.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
