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Three Paramedics Killed in Lebanon Airstrike; PM Calls for Global Support

Three paramedics were killed and another seriously wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a civil defence centre in southern Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attack and called for stronger international support for Lebanon's diplomatic efforts. The current conflict, which began on March 2, has led to significant casualties and displacement. Despite a ceasefire extension, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue in southern Lebanon.

Key Points: Lebanon Paramedics Killed in Strike; PM Seeks Global Support

  • Three paramedics killed in airstrike on civil defence centre
  • Lebanon accuses Israel of violating international humanitarian law
  • PM Nawaf Salam warns of gravest crisis since founding
  • Ceasefire extended by 45 days amid ongoing clashes
2 min read

Three paramedics killed in strike in Lebanon; PM calls for global support for diplomacy

Three paramedics killed in southern Lebanon airstrike. PM Nawaf Salam urges global support for diplomatic efforts amid escalating crisis.

"The latest war was imposed on Lebanon - Nawaf Salam"

Beirut, May 16

Three paramedics were killed and another seriously wounded in an airstrike in southern Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged stronger Arab and international backing for Lebanon's diplomatic efforts, warning the country faces its gravest crisis since its founding.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said the strike hit a civil defence centre operated by the Islamic Health Authority in the town of Harouf and completely destroyed the facility.

The ministry accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law through attacks targeting medical and rescue personnel, reports Xinhua news agency.

Salam said on Friday that the latest war "was imposed on Lebanon" and resulted in Israel occupying 68 towns, villages and positions.

He said Lebanon could not recover while young people continued emigrating, the middle class eroded, and key sectors such as education and healthcare struggled to survive.

The current round of fighting began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets towards Israel amid tensions triggered by the US-Israeli war against Iran. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground invasion of Lebanon.

Meanwhile, in the latest development, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of their ceasefire that took effect last month, a spokesperson for the US State Department has said.

"The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said on X on Friday (local time).

Israel and Lebanon will resume political negotiations at the US State Department on June 2-3, while their military delegates are set to launch parallel security talks at the Pentagon on May 29, Piggott said.

The two countries held their third round of direct talks here on Thursday and Friday, which Piggott described as "highly productive."

Despite the ceasefire, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon have continued.

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli drones, troops, military bulldozers, and a Merkava tank in several areas of southern Lebanon.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Prime Minister Salam's warning about Lebanon's greatest crisis is not an exaggeration. When a country loses its youth to emigration and its middle class to economic collapse, that's a tragedy that affects generations. India knows this pain too well from our own history. Global support for diplomacy is the only way forward. 🙏
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Siddharth J
It's concerning that despite the ceasefire extension, clashes continue. Peace talks at the State Department and Pentagon are good steps, but ground realities tell a different story. The targeting of civil defence centres is a clear violation of international law. India should use its diplomatic channels to push for a more robust ceasefire mechanism.
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Kavya N
As someone who has seen conflict zones in Kashmir, I can relate to the pain of losing first responders. Paramedics are the real heroes who run towards danger when others run away. The fact that 68 towns are occupied shows this is not just border skirmishes - it's a full-blown crisis. Lebanon needs the world's attention now. 😔
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Michael C
I appreciate the diplomatic efforts, but 45-day extensions are not a solution - they're a band-aid. The US can't be both the mediator and the one providing weapons to one side. India's balanced foreign policy approach could serve as a model here. We need lasting peace, not temporary ceasefires that allow for continued violence.
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Rahul R
The mention of Hezbollah targeting Israeli tanks and drones shows both sides are still at war despite the ceasefire. What about the 3 paramedics? Their families will never get them back. International humanitarian law means nothing if it's not enforced. Time for the UN to take stronger action.

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