Hezbollah’s Unlawful Use of Medical Facilities for Terror Purposes

Hezbollah has shown a pattern of taking advantage of international law protections by using ambulances and other medical facilities to enable terror activity against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.

The terrorist organization uses vehicles and medical staff as cover to transport weapons and terrorists from northern to southern Lebanon, undermining the special protections granted to medical facilities and equipment under international law.

The IDF’s recent efforts to alert the civilian population in southern Lebanon of upcoming strikes are making it difficult for Hezbollah operatives to blend in. In response, Hezbollah has increased its violations of international law.

In an incident in the Qantara area, IDF troops encountered armed Hezbollah terrorists who posed a threat to the soldiers. Following their elimination, IDF troops conducted security searches in which they found a Hezbollah ambulance used to hide weapons.

The ambulance contained explosive devices, mortar shells, magazines and a grenade, in sharp contrast to the medical equipment alongside it.

In a separate incident, IDF troops encountered Hezbollah terrorists carrying RPG weapons and operating adjacent to an ambulance, in which weapons were uncovered. It had been used by the terrorists to carry out attacks from a “safe” position.

There have also been cases in which Hezbollah operatives disguised themselves as medical workers. This allows them to take advantage of the protections granted to humanitarian personnel under international law.

The following footage is evidence of Hezbollah’s use of medical vehicles and equipment to exploit their protected status:

Another violation comes in the form of a weapons cache recently discovered within the government hospital in Bint Jbeil, which was also used for weapons transfer and for observation and concealment purposes.

The IDF operates in accordance with international law and, prior to the operation, clarified to the relevant Lebanese authorities that all military activity within hospitals must cease. These warnings were distributed through various channels. Despite this, Hezbollah continued to use the hospital for military activity.

These incidents show a pattern of disregard for civilian life by the terrorist organization. The use of medical institutions for terror purposes places patients, medical staff and civilians at risk, in violation of international law.