MSF warns rescuers cannot reach wounded in southern Lebanon strikes
Doctors Without Borders says heavy Israeli attacks around Nabatieh have left civilians trapped and rescue teams at risk.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Doctors Without Borders said conditions around Nabatieh in southern Lebanon resemble a “death trap” as Israeli strikes continue to hit the area. The warning came as Lebanese health officials said at least 50 people have been killed in the renewed attacks, including a soldier.
The medical charity, widely known by its French acronym MSF, said its teams are treating a growing number of people wounded in the attacks. MSF said the injured include paramedics hurt while trying to carry out rescue missions.
MSF said many people remain out of reach because heavy shelling has made evacuations too dangerous for responders. The group said rescue crews face the risk of coming under fire while trying to reach people trapped in the area.
“People are arriving with severe head injuries, heavy bleeding, shrapnel injuries and in need of amputations,” Pierre Boulet-Desbareau, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Lebanon, said in a statement.
Boulet-Desbareau said MSF teams in Nabatieh were describing a devastating situation. “People are caught under heavy shelling, while rescue teams are unable to safely reach them,” he said, calling for civilians and first responders to be protected and for rescue teams to have unhindered access.
Israel has intensified strikes on Nabatieh and other parts of southern Lebanon since midnight on Friday, according to Al Jazeera. The escalation came before planned talks in Switzerland between the United States and Iran aimed at securing an interim peace deal.
The Israeli military said it launched strikes on multiple targets in southern Lebanon after a Hezbollah attack killed four soldiers. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli attacks continued into Saturday even after US President Donald Trump said late Friday that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli aircraft and drones struck Nabatieh repeatedly overnight and into Saturday morning. The agency said the attacks destroyed residential buildings and homes.
The fighting has also affected diplomatic efforts linked to the US-Iran talks, according to Al Jazeera. Tehran has said any final peace agreement must require Israel and the United States to end the conflict on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Al Jazeera reported that Tehran delayed sending delegates to Switzerland before postponed direct talks because of the escalated Israeli attacks. No further details on the timing of the delayed talks were reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.