Mass expulsions, banned munitions, targeting health workers, double-tap strikes – Israel is now applying its Gaza playbook to its northern neighbour.

While most media attention is focused on the Israel-US  bombardment of Iran, Israel’s attack on Lebanon threatens to become an act of permanent expansion and occupation, effectively redrawing the map of the Middle East.

Lebanon faces the threat of a “humanitarian catastrophe”, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has warned, as Israel expands its weeks-long bombardment and ground invasion of the country. More than 1.2 million people have been forced from their homes, including 370,000 children, according to UNICEF.

Densely populated areas of central Beirut have been bombed. The overall death toll from Israel’s assault is at least 1,125, with over 3,300 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said his military would take control of south Lebanon all the way to the Litani river and that hundreds of thousands of residents would be indefinitely barred from returning to their homes in that area. The Israeli military issued a sweeping displacement order for all residents of Lebanon living south of the Zahrani River, which is roughly 20 kilometres further north of the Litani River, where Israel has destroyed several bridges, ahead of invading and occupying.

“The destruction of key bridges in the south has cut off entire districts… isolating over 150,000 people and severely limiting humanitarian access with essential items to reach them,” UNHCR’s Lindholm Billing said.

“Israel’s tactics of mass expulsion in Lebanon raise serious risks of forced displacement,” Human Rights Watch said. “Forced displacement and collective punishment are war crimes.”

Other war crimes

Israel is alsoindiscriminately using white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in southern Lebanon, according to Human Rights Watch. “The Israeli military’s unlawful use of white phosphorus over residential areas is extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians,” said HRW’s Ramzi Kaiss. “The incendiary effects of white phosphorous can cause death or cruel injuries that result in lifelong suffering.”

There is also evidence of Israel’s targeting of health workers.  Scores of medical facilities have been bombed. The World Health Organization says that Israeli strikes killed 14 health workers in southern Lebanon in 24 hours alone.This included twelve doctors, nurses, and paramedics killed in an attack on the Burj Qalawiya primary healthcare centre. 

Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s health system echo the targeted destruction of healthcare in Gaza. Since early March, at least 51 health workers have been killed and 120 wounded in these assaults in Lebanon.

Yesterday nine paramedics were killed in separate attacks on health teams working in five different Lebanese villages. “Four hospitals and 51 primary health care centres are now closed, significantly limiting access to essential care at a time when it is most needed. Several other health facilities have sustained partial damage and are operating at reduced capacity,” reported Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, adding: “Health workers are protected under international humanitarian law and should never be targeted.”

There is further evidence that Israeli is using double-tap strikes to hit rescue workers in southern Lebanon. ‘Double tap’ refers to the deliberate practice of following an air strike with a second strike a few minutes later, with the intention of hitting response teams, helpers and medics rushing to the site. By deliberately targeting non-combatants, it is also a war crime.

Israel’s bombardment continues despite Lebanon’s clear readiness to hold immediate talks with Israel. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has said his country is ready for “immediate negotiations”. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun proposed a four-point plan a week ago, which included a “complete truce” and the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Image: c/o Labour Hub.