EU demands respect for Israel-Lebanon truce amid deadly strikes on medics

EU calls for truce compliance

The European Union on Saturday demanded strict adherence to the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, condemning recent deadly strikes on paramedics and hospitals in southern Lebanon as violations of international humanitarian law. EU Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in a written statement that Brussels continues to support bilateral dialogue between the parties and encourages negotiations toward lasting stability in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. El Anouni noted that the bloc has continuously called upon Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that all parties must fully comply with legal obligations to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, UN peacekeepers, and humanitarian personnel throughout the disputed border region.

Paramedics targeted in Tyre district

The EU statement follows a surge in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon that have killed civilians and emergency workers despite the US-mediated ceasefire that formally took effect on April 17 and was subsequently extended through early July. Lebanese authorities said at least 15 people died in Friday's attacks alone, including six paramedics performing rescue operations in the Tyre district. Two medics were among 10 people killed in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr while carrying out what authorities described as their humanitarian duty, while four others died when an Israeli warplane struck an Islamic Health Authority position in Hanouiyeh, also within the Tyre district. A separate drone strike in Nabatieh killed one person and wounded two others, while three more sustained injuries in the Hafour area between Siddiqine and Qana.

Health facilities under attack

The violence extended into Saturday with fresh strikes killing at least five people and inflicting major structural damage on Hiram Hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, rendering parts of the facility inoperable according to Lebanese media reports. The National News Agency said raids destroyed a residential house and killed four other people in the Tyre district, while a drone strike in Nabatieh killed one person and wounded two others. The attacks came one day after an Israeli strike caused severe damage to a hospital in Tebnine, killing two people and injuring three others and further straining the healthcare system's ability to treat casualties amid the ongoing hostilities.

Lebanese Health Ministry figures indicate at least 16 hospitals have sustained damage in Israeli attacks since March 2, with 116 medical personnel killed and 263 wounded during the same period. Lebanese officials say more than 3,089 people have been killed, 9,397 injured, and over 1.6 million displaced since fighting intensified in March amid wider regional hostilities involving Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah.