Sunday Times 2
Indiscriminate attacks on Lebanon’s civilian areas unacceptable: MSF
View(s):The international humanitarian group Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which remains in the thick of the devastation in Lebanon caused by Israeli bombardments despite the ceasefire, has responded to questions from the Sunday Times regarding the humanitarian situation there. Here are excerpts from the interview with MSF Communications Director Jinane Saad:
n Despite the ceasefire agreement, South Lebanon continues to face bombardments and attacks by Israel. Recently, renowned journalist Amal Khalil was killed, underscoring a prevailing culture of impunity. Has Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) raised any protest over these ceasefire violations, which undoubtedly hinder its humanitarian work?
After 46 days of relentless attacks since March 2, a temporary ceasefire came into effect on April 17, bringing a fragile sense of relief overshadowed by uncertainty and caution. While the intensity of bombardment has decreased across the country, southern Lebanon continues to face widespread destruction, including the demolition of entire villages and a ground presence of Israeli forces. Humanitarian needs remain immense.
MSF emergency workers treating the wounded in Lebanon after an Israeli attack
While the local health workers have continued to work throughout the war under immense pressure for months, MSF teams in south Lebanon are providing primary healthcare, mental health support and sexual and reproductive health; supporting referrals for secondary healthcare; and supporting hospitals with trauma and emergency care.
We continue to call for an urgent scale-up of humanitarian aid and unhindered access to aid for people in need across the country.
n Israel has established a buffer zone in the south that extends up to the Litani River in some areas, preventing displaced people from returning. Can MSF operate within this zone — described by critics as an illegally imposed “kill zone” — and still serve the wounded and the sick?
The Israeli forces’ ground invasion in southern Lebanon, including the “yellow line” – a no-go zone where Israeli forces have occupied part of Lebanese territory – is cutting off people from returning to their homes in some 55 villages and humanitarian workers from reaching the area. The destruction and demolition of entire villages and communities have left thousands forcibly displaced.
During the escalation, most residents of the south were forcibly displaced, while those who remained were largely cut off after airstrikes destroyed key bridges linking the south to the rest of the country. Humanitarian workers withdrew; healthcare staff faced near-daily attacks.
Following the announcement of the ceasefire, MSF scaled up its presence across southern Lebanon.
n On April 8, Israel carried out 100 attacks within ten minutes on multiple areas in Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, killing more than 400 people, including scores of children. How did you respond to what has been described as a catastrophe amounting to a grave war crime?
This large-scale attack by Israeli forces across Lebanon has struck multiple locations, including in the cities of Beirut, Saida and Baalbek.
These indiscriminate strikes on highly densely populated areas are completely unacceptable.
Our teams responded to the mass influx of injured patients, including children, at Rafik Hariri Public Hospital, Beirut. Patients arrived with shrapnel injuries and heavy bleeding.
The Israeli forces’ mass bombardment of residential neighbourhoods across Lebanon resulted in 2534 deaths and 7863 people being wounded, placing significant strain on healthcare facilities.
What the MSF team witnessed that day was not just a medical emergency. It was the direct impact of attacks on civilians, residential areas, families, children, and people who, just hours earlier, were living their normal lives.
n Attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers, Red Cross/Red Crescent members, hospitals, and humanitarian centres in Lebanon — as well as in Iran and, more recently, in Gaza — have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of international law and the Geneva Conventions that prohibit such actions. What steps can MSF take to help restore the inviolability of hospitals and emergency humanitarian workers?
MSF calls for the protection of civilians and healthcare; we continue to call for unhindered access of aid to people in need across the country.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of March 23, more than 63 attacks on healthcare facilities have been reported, with 40 healthcare workers killed and another 91 injured. In addition, more than five hospitals have been forced to evacuate, and more than 54 primary health care centres across Lebanon have had to close, further limiting access to essential health services.
MSF calls for the protection of civilians and healthcare and for an end to measures that force people indefinitely from their homes.
n Lebanon hosts migrant workers from several countries, including Sri Lanka. When the war broke out and people were displaced, were these migrant workers — particularly women in vulnerable situations — protected and assisted in finding shelter? What role did MSF play in supporting them during this time of need?
MSF has scaled up its emergency response following the current escalation of conflict to support displaced migrant workers residing in housing communities or unofficial shelters through its Emergency Mobile Medical Units dispatched nationwide.
Since March 2nd,
n Over 66 unofficial shelters and housing communities for displaced migrant workers have been mapped by MSF in Beirut and Mount Lebanon and are included in MSF’s emergency medical response.
n Through its MMUs, MSF has provided basic health care to more than 20 housing communities for migrant workers in Karantina, Bourj Hamoud, Jdaidi, Harisa, Meten, Aaraya, Nabaa, Fanar, Antilias, Amrousiyeh, and Sabtieh, reaching more than 5345 displaced migrant workers.