JUST IN: Israel Threatens to Strike Ambulances in Lebanon, Claims Hezbollah Using Them for Military Operations
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Conflict & International Law
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, the Israeli military has issued an explicit threat to attack ambulances in Lebanon, accusing the Iran-backed Hezbollah group of making “extensive military use” of medical vehicles. The warning, delivered by Israeli Arab spokesman Avichay Adraee on social media, has drawn immediate international concern and placed the protection of civilian medical infrastructure at the center of the escalating war .
Adraee’s statement warned that the alleged military use of medical facilities and ambulances must cease immediately, asserting that Israel would act “in accordance with international law” against any military activity conducted by Hezbollah using these protected assets .
The IDF’s Allegations: ‘Extensive Military Use’ of Medical Vehicles
The Israeli military has detailed its allegations against Hezbollah in recent days, claiming a pattern of systematic exploitation of medical infrastructure for combat purposes.
Key Israeli Claims:
| Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| Weapons Transport | Hezbollah operatives use ambulances to transfer weapons across northern and southern Lebanon |
| Combatant Disguise | Terrorists pose as paramedics while operating near ambulances to conceal their activities |
| Command Infrastructure | Medical facilities allegedly used as command-and-control centers for military operations |
| Protected Status Exploitation | Violation of international law that grants special protection to medical teams |
The IDF has pointed to a specific incident over the weekend in which it struck a Hezbollah cell in southern Lebanon that it claimed was operating an ambulance while posing as paramedics. The military stated that the terrorists “systematically used ambulances to transfer weapons across the country, in order to launch attacks against Israel and IDF soldiers” .
In a statement, the IDF emphasized that “medical teams are afforded special protection, provided they do not engage in hostile acts outside their humanitarian duties.” The incident, the military said, “highlighted Hezbollah’s cynical and systematic use of medical infrastructure and civilians for military purposes” .
The Threat: ‘Act in Accordance with International Law’
Adraee’s warning was unequivocal. In his post on X, the Israeli spokesman stated that Hezbollah is making “extensive military use of ambulances” and called for an immediate halt to such activities. He claimed that if this use does not stop, Israel would “act in accordance with international law” against any military activity carried out by Hezbollah using medical facilities and ambulances .
The phrasing—”act in accordance with international law”—is significant. Under the Geneva Conventions, medical personnel and vehicles lose their protected status if they are used to commit acts harmful to the enemy outside their humanitarian duties. However, the determination of such violations is often contested, and attacking medical vehicles carries immense legal and humanitarian risks .
Humanitarian Concerns: Paramedics Killed and Hospitals at Risk
The threat comes against a backdrop of devastating losses among Lebanon’s medical personnel. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 52 paramedics have been killed in Lebanon during the current conflict as Israeli forces have fired on ambulances transporting the wounded to hospitals .
Lebanese media have reported that over 100 ambulances have been targeted in Israeli airstrikes within just two weeks. Six Red Cross staff members were injured in an attack on Sunday night, and three patients with light shrapnel wounds who were being transported sustained critical injuries as a result of the strikes .
Lebanon’s public health minister, Mohammed Jawad Khalifa, has reported multiple attacks on ambulances, including one near Burj el-Shemali where the driver lost an arm, and another on the Zahrani bridge where the driver lost both legs. Khalifa has also warned that the country would begin to run out of medical supplies within days .
Conflicting Protection Assurances for Beirut Hospitals
The threat to ambulances stands in stark contrast to recent Israeli assurances regarding two major hospitals in Beirut. The World Health Organization announced that Israeli forces had offered “guarantees” following talks with UN officials that the Rafik Hariri Central Public Hospital and Al Zahraa Hospital would not be attacked .
Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, the WHO representative in Lebanon, confirmed that UN officials “have received guarantees that these two hospitals will not be attacked.” However, he added a crucial caveat: Israeli forces have simultaneously warned that “ambulances will be attacked.” Abubakar noted that the WHO has not been able to independently verify Israeli claims regarding Hezbollah’s use of ambulances for military purposes .
Legal Framework: When Do Medical Vehicles Lose Protection?
The legal framework governing the protection of medical vehicles in armed conflict is well-established under international humanitarian law.
Geneva Convention Protections:
- Medical personnel and vehicles are granted special protection and must be respected and protected in all circumstances
- Protection is conditional on medical teams not engaging in acts harmful to the enemy outside their humanitarian duties
- Medical units lose their protected status if they are used to commit acts harmful to the enemy
- Even when protection is lost, warning must be given before any attack, and a reasonable time limit must be set for compliance
The IDF has framed its threat within this legal framework, asserting that Hezbollah’s alleged misuse of ambulances voids their protected status and that Israel will act “in accordance with international law” . However, human rights organizations have previously accused Israel of failing to provide adequate warnings or evidence before striking medical targets.
The Broader Conflict Context
The ambulance threat comes amid an intensified Israeli military campaign across Lebanon. Since the outbreak of hostilities following Hezbollah’s cross-border attack on March 2, Israel has carried out an expanded offensive in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire that had taken effect in November 2024 .
Recent Israeli strikes have been particularly devastating. On Wednesday alone, Israeli warplanes struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon in roughly ten minutes—the most intense air campaign since the current conflict began. Lebanese health authorities report that more than 300 people have been killed and over 1,800 injured in recent days, with the total death toll since March 2 surpassing 1,800 .
The strikes have hit densely populated residential areas in central Beirut, including the Ain al-Mraisseh neighborhood along the coastal corniche, where a strike caused part of a multi-story building to collapse. Residents have been seen sifting through debris, salvaging whatever furniture and personal mementos they could find .
Lebanon’s Response and International Law Concerns
Lebanese authorities have strongly rejected Israeli claims regarding Hezbollah’s use of ambulances. The Lebanese health ministry has accused Israel of deliberately targeting medical infrastructure to deny aid to the injured, describing a “pattern” of attacks on emergency responders .
The targeting of medical personnel and vehicles—even when allegations of misuse exist—has drawn sharp criticism from international humanitarian organizations. The WHO has expressed concern over the escalating attacks on healthcare in Lebanon, noting that the killing of 52 paramedics represents a significant blow to the country’s already overwhelmed medical system .
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Escalation
Despite the intensifying military campaign, diplomatic efforts continue. A State Department official told Anadolu that the United States will host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon next week as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations .
These talks come amid confusion over the scope of the temporary two-week US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 7. While Pakistani mediators had indicated the truce would apply “everywhere, including Lebanon,” President Trump has explicitly stated that Lebanon was excluded from the deal “because of Hezbollah,” describing the war in Lebanon as “a separate skirmish” .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has confirmed that the “temporary ceasefire does not include Lebanon,” and Israeli forces have continued their operations against Hezbollah targets across the country .
What Comes Next
The IDF’s threat to strike ambulances represents a significant escalation in the conflict’s impact on civilian infrastructure. Several developments will be critical to watch:
- International Response: Human rights organizations and the UN are likely to issue statements on the legality of targeting ambulances, even with allegations of Hezbollah misuse.
- Hezbollah’s Response: The group has not yet formally responded to the Israeli allegations, but continued military operations could provide Israel with claimed justification for strikes on medical vehicles.
- Humanitarian Impact: With over 100 ambulances already reportedly damaged or destroyed and 52 paramedics killed, any further strikes on medical vehicles would severely degrade Lebanon’s already strained emergency response capacity.
- Upcoming Talks: The scheduled US-hosted talks between Israel and Lebanon next week will need to address not only the broader ceasefire but also the protection of medical infrastructure and personnel.
Conclusion
Israel’s threat to strike ambulances in Lebanon, based on allegations that Hezbollah is using them for military purposes, represents a dangerous new phase in the conflict. While international law does permit the targeting of medical vehicles that have lost their protected status due to hostile acts, the burden of proof lies with the attacking force—and the humanitarian consequences of mistaken strikes are devastating.
With 52 paramedics already killed and over 100 ambulances hit in the conflict, Lebanon’s medical system is on the brink of collapse. The coming days will determine whether diplomatic efforts can prevent further escalation or whether the threat to ambulances becomes another grim reality of a war that has already claimed thousands of lives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly did Israel threaten regarding ambulances in Lebanon?
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that Hezbollah is making “extensive military use” of ambulances and that if this does not stop, Israel will “act in accordance with international law” against any military activity using medical facilities and ambulances .
2. What evidence has Israel provided for its claims?
Israel has cited a specific incident in which it struck a Hezbollah cell operating near an ambulance while posing as paramedics. The IDF claims Hezbollah systematically uses ambulances to transfer weapons and launch attacks against Israeli forces. However, critics note that Israel has previously shared old videos as “proof” of such claims .
3. Does international law allow attacking ambulances?
Under the Geneva Conventions, medical personnel and vehicles lose their protected status if they are used to commit acts harmful to the enemy outside their humanitarian duties. However, warning must be given before any attack, and the determination of misuse is often contested .
4. How many paramedics have been killed in Lebanon?
According to the World Health Organization, 52 paramedics have been killed in Lebanon during the current conflict. Lebanese media reports that over 100 ambulances have been hit in Israeli airstrikes .
5. Has Israel assured protection for any hospitals in Beirut?
Yes. Following talks with UN officials, Israel has offered “guarantees” that the Rafik Hariri Central Public Hospital and Al Zahraa Hospital in Beirut will not be attacked. However, the WHO representative noted that Israel simultaneously warned that “ambulances will be attacked” .
6. Does the current ceasefire apply to Lebanon?
No. President Trump has explicitly stated that Lebanon was excluded from the two-week US-Iran ceasefire “because of Hezbollah.” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the “temporary ceasefire does not include Lebanon” .
7. When are the next Israel-Lebanon talks scheduled?
A State Department official has confirmed that the United States will host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon next week as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations .
8. What has been the human toll of recent strikes in Lebanon?
Lebanese health authorities report that more than 300 people have been killed and over 1,800 injured in recent days. Since the conflict began on March 2, over 1,800 people have been killed in Lebanon .
Stay informed with Reflecto News – Your trusted source for breaking conflict and humanitarian intelligence. Subscribe for real-time updates on the Israel-Lebanon conflict and regional diplomatic developments.