Israeli airstrike kills three emergency workers in southern Lebanon

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of three emergency workers and left two others injured. The attack occurred while the workers were attempting to extinguish a fire in the town of Froun, located in the Nabatieh district. This incident marked the second targeting of an ambulance team within a 12-hour period, prompting the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health to condemn the strike as a violation of international law. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defended the airstrike, claiming it was aimed at eliminating members of the Amal movement, a Hezbollah-aligned Shia group. In response, the Amal movement confirmed the deaths of two of its members, asserting they were engaged in humanitarian efforts at the time of the attack. The situation has escalated tensions in the region, with cross-border exchanges of fire becoming increasingly frequent since the onset of the Gaza conflict. Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati characterized the airstrike as a blatant violation of international laws and called for an emergency meeting with Western ambassadors to demand accountability from Israel. He emphasized the need for international pressure on Israel to cease its aggressive actions against Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a series of drone attacks and missile strikes against Israeli positions, indicating a significant escalation in hostilities. The Civil Defense in Lebanon expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict.