In the small southern village of Derdghaiya, the Lebanese Civil Defense has faced dire challenges in recent weeks, particularly as the Israeli military intensified its bombardment of southern Lebanon. Until recently, local emergency responders relied on borrowed ambulances from neighboring towns to conduct rescue missions. However, as the conflict escalated, access to emergency vehicles became increasingly scarce, leaving first responders scrambling for resources.
The situation took a tragic turn on September 17, when Israeli intelligence detonated a series of bombs embedded in pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon. While Israel claimed the attacks targeted Hezbollah members, the reality was far grimmer: these devices exploded in public spaces, including grocery stores and cafes, resulting in numerous casualties and overwhelming the already strained emergency services. In a desperate bid to transport the wounded, Civil Defense workers resorted to using vegetable carts, highlighting the dire state of emergency response capabilities in the region.
Bachir Nakhal, a volunteer from Beirut, had previously spearheaded fundraising efforts for emergency medical supplies in the Tyre region. Following the bombings, he pledged to raise funds for an ambulance for Derdghaiya. Through social media outreach, Nakhal successfully coordinated the delivery of a new first-responder van, much to the relief of local Civil Defense members. However, this hope was short-lived. Just four days later, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Civil Defense center in Derdghaiya, killing five first responders, including the regional director, Abdullah al-Moussawi.
The destruction of the newly acquired ambulance and the loss of lives raised serious concerns about the intentional targeting of emergency services. Nakhal voiced his belief that these attacks are part of a broader strategy to incapacitate entire regions, rendering them unlivable. He drew parallels to the Israeli military’s targeting of healthcare infrastructure in Gaza, describing the situation as “the A, B, Cs of ethnic cleansing.”
The United Nations has reported a staggering toll on medical and emergency workers in Lebanon, with over 100 fatalities recorded since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza last October. Imran Riza, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, emphasized that frontline workers are protected under International Humanitarian Law and should never be targeted. The ongoing attacks disrupt essential services and violate the right to healthcare, endangering both aid workers and the vulnerable populations they serve.
The targeting of healthcare workers and infrastructure is a violation of international humanitarian law, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions, which Israel is a signatory to. Recently, the U.N. announced that Israeli attacks have forced 98 healthcare facilities across Lebanon to shut down, exacerbating the already critical situation in the country.
As Lebanon’s public sector has diminished due to successive economic crises, the Civil Defense has increasingly relied on volunteers. Nabil Salhani, a director within the Civil Defense, noted that while 2,500 responders are on the government payroll, around 6,000 are volunteers dedicated to serving their communities. In the wake of the recent chaos, these disparate emergency groups have begun to collaborate more closely, uniting in their efforts to respond to the overwhelming needs of the population.
The conflict has not only intensified in southern Lebanon but has also seen a low-grade conflict erupt along Israel’s northern border. Israeli strikes have primarily targeted southern Lebanon, with first responders facing injuries from various munitions, including cluster bombs and incendiary substances like white phosphorus, which are restricted under international law.
The first major incident targeting first responders occurred in late March, when seven paramedics were killed in a strike on their center in Hebbariyeh. Despite claims from the Israeli military that the strike eliminated an armed individual, investigations found no evidence of a military target at the site. Since then, the situation has worsened, with numerous paramedics and firefighters from the Civil Defense and other emergency groups losing their lives while on duty.
In September, an Israeli airstrike on a fire truck in Faroun resulted in the deaths of three first responders who were combating fires caused by earlier strikes. The Israeli military justified the attack by claiming it targeted terrorists, but the Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the men were engaged in rescue operations.
The recent escalation has left the Lebanese population in a state of fear and uncertainty. Nakhal expressed that the strikes on medical workers have been accompanied by attacks on essential civilian infrastructure, further complicating the humanitarian crisis. For instance, Israeli forces recently targeted a major water supply route, depriving communities of access to clean water.
Despite the risks, Nakhal and his fellow volunteers remain committed to their duty. They understand the dangers involved but feel a profound sense of responsibility to support their communities. As Nakhal stated, “You need to make sure your services are there. You have to make sure you can support your people.” This unwavering dedication underscores the resilience of those working on the front lines of this ongoing crisis, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.