Israeli 'double-tap' strike kills three rescue workers in Lebanon, officials say

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Israeli 'double-tap' strike kills three rescue workers in Lebanon, officials say 14 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Hugo Bachega Middle East correspondent, Beirut The Israeli military says it struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon on Tuesday Two successive Israeli air strikes on a building in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed nine people, including three emergency workers, Lebanese officials say, in what the country's prime minister described as a "war crime". The Lebanese health ministry said the three members of the Lebanese Civil Defense, a state-run emergency service, had been sent to rescue those wounded in the first strike in the town of Majdal Zoun. They were trapped under rubble caused by the second strike and later confirmed dead.

The ministry did not identify the six other fatalities. Two Lebanese army soldiers were also wounded in the attack. The Israeli military said it had struck what it described as a Hezbollah commander who operated in proximity to soldiers in the Israeli-occupied area of southern Lebanon, without providing evidence.

The Details

It also said the details of the incident were under review, but it has previously failed to explain attacks on health professionals while they were on rescue missions. The tactic, known as "double tap", sees an initial attack followed by a second or more, often hitting civilians and rescuers. It has been used by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza.

Human rights groups say deliberate attacks on health workers could constitute a war crime. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah - the Lebanese militia and political party that is funded and armed by Iran - started on 2 March after the group fired rockets into Israel, which responded with widespread air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. Since then, more than 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 103 health professionals, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

It does not distinguish between combatants and civilians but says the number includes at least 270 women and more than 170 children. Two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks in Israel, while 16 Israeli soldiers and one civilian have been killed in Lebanon, Israeli authorities say. There's a ceasefire in Lebanon - but the fighting hasn't stopped The three rescue workers killed on Tuesday were Hussein Ghadbouni, Hussein Sati and Hadi Daher.

Last month, the spent several days with their team , which is based in Tyre, to report on the risks emergency teams in Lebanon face amid constant Israeli attacks. The strike happened amid a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that has led to a reduction in the hostilities but failed to completely stop the war. Israel says its actions in Lebanon are in response to what it describes as violations of the deal by Hezbollah, which was not involved in the agreement but had indicated it would abide by its terms if the ceasefire was respected by Israel.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.