Recent assaults have resulted in the deaths of two volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross: Youssef Assaf, who lost his life during a rescue mission on March 9, and Hassan Badawi, who was killed by a drone strike on April 12. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there have been 169 verified attacks on healthcare professionals and facilities in Lebanon, leading to 116 fatalities. Lebanese officials estimate that over 3,000 individuals have died since the resurgence of hostilities in March, with violence persisting despite a ceasefire. Following the commencement of Israeli-US airstrikes on Iran, Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon initiated shelling of Israeli communities, and exchanges of gunfire are ongoing, with reports indicating that 21 Israeli soldiers have been killed since March 2.
UN News conducted interviews with Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesman for the UN human rights office (OHCHR); Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and Ali Saad from the Lebanese Red Cross. They unanimously emphasized that first responders should never be made targets.
Targeting Aid Workers
From a human rights standpoint, intentionally attacking medical personnel constitutes a war crime. Mr. Al-Kheetan from OHCHR stated that the global community must take stronger actions to safeguard healthcare workers in all conflict zones. He noted that the office has documented instances where Israeli forces conducted attacks directly targeting civilians, including medical staff, underscoring that such incidents are not isolated and have been previously recorded in Gaza and other global conflicts.
A Disturbing Reality
During a recent trip to Lebanon, Mr. Della Longa of the IFRC described the disconcerting image of Red Cross volunteers donning flak jackets and helmets before embarking on missions to save lives. “What struck me the most,” he remarked, “was witnessing Lebanon lose individuals dedicated to humanitarian efforts.” He added that the mission details and locations of Youssef Assaf and Hassan Badawi were communicated to all parties involved in the conflict, and they were traveling in ambulances clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem at the time of their deaths.
“Not Just Statistics”
“Each paramedic or volunteer lost represents a family; they are not mere statistics,” he stated. “Hassan left behind a pregnant wife and a young son.” For Mr. Della Longa, “striking an ambulance and killing a humanitarian worker undermines entire communities.” He reiterated the necessity for the international community to uphold the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical transports as mandated by international law.
Deconfliction Efforts
To enhance the safety of rescue teams, the Lebanese Red Cross collaborates with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), sharing coordinates to ensure all combatants are aware of the paramedics’ locations. This critical process, known as deconfliction, was explained by Mr. Saad, a liaison coordinator with the Lebanese Red Cross. However, despite these precautions, rescue workers have still been targeted. “This is why Red Cross volunteers embrace one another and say goodbye before every mission,” he noted.
The deaths of Youssef Assaf and Hassan Badawi continue to trouble their fellow volunteers, who have yet to understand the rationale behind the attacks. Such incidents – along with the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil on April 22 – highlight a concerning trend of “double tap” strikes, according to Mr. Saad.
Caught in the Crossfire
Mr. Saad revealed that Hassan Badawi was killed while exiting an ambulance with a stretcher during a rescue operation in southern Lebanon, where a drone struck him directly, resulting in 300 pieces of shrapnel in his body. He expressed concerns about the anticipated drawdown and withdrawal of UNIFIL from Lebanon next year, emphasizing the importance of their presence: “I cannot imagine who will support us; UNIFIL served as international witnesses to the situation. While they may not halt the conflict or provide a security shield, they were the only true observers of these events.”
Meanwhile, the 5,000 Red Cross volunteers will persist in their missions despite the risks. They have access to areas within the so-called “yellow line,” a no-go zone established by the Israeli military last month, but are barred from entering combat zones near the border, even to retrieve deceased individuals. “They are not military personnel; their only tools are bandages and their willingness to assist others,” Mr. Saad asserted, stressing that this alone should warrant their protection.
