Lebanese Army Fires Back at Israeli Forces for First Time

Lebanese soldiers. X/ @OverHorizon404.

October 3, 2024 Hour: 10:36 am

Health Minister Abiad denounced that 97 paramedics and firefighters have died in Israeli attacks.

On Thursday, international and local media reported that the Lebanese army responded to Israeli fire for the first time since the Israeli occupation army launched its latest campaign of aggression.

The response by the Lebanese armed forces came after two of their soldiers were killed in Israeli attacks. In the first attack, the Israeli army attacked a Red Cross convoy, leaving four medics injured during a recovery operation in Taybeh-Marjayoun. The second Israeli attack occurred in the Bint Jbeil area.

Previously, “on Wednesday, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun had been authorized to take ‘whatever action he deems necessary to protect Lebanon and the military institution’,” the National reported

On Thursday, the Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad denounced that 97 paramedics and firefighters have died in Israeli attacks. He described these actions as part of the “war crimes” perpetrated by Israel, which have claimed the lives of almost 2,000 people, including 127 children.

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“What is happening is very dangerous and it is a violation of international laws and conventions. These are war crimes without a doubt,” he said at a press conference from Beirut, whose centre was attacked by Israel in an early morning bombing that resulted in the death of at least 100 people.

Previously, the Lebanese Red Cross reported that one of its convoys trying to evacuate victims and wounded in southern Lebanon – where the bombings are concentrated – was attacked by Israel in an action that resulted in three volunteers wounded and one army soldier killed.

“This is a war crime. The excuse they use is that these vehicles and hospitals have weapons. These are invalid pretexts,” Abiad said, adding that Israel even attacks “people who try to help the wounded.”