Two successive Israeli air strikes on a building in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed five people, including three emergency workers from the Lebanese Civil Defense, according to Lebanese officials. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the attack as a "war crime."
The three rescuers had been dispatched to aid victims of the initial strike in Majdal Zoun when a second strike hit, trapping them under rubble. Two Lebanese army soldiers were also wounded.
The Israeli military has been approached for comment. The "double-tap" tactic, an initial attack followed by a second strike, has been used by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza, with human rights groups stating deliberate attacks on health workers could constitute a war crime.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on March 2, has resulted in over 2,500 deaths in Lebanon, including 103 health professionals, according to the Lebanese health ministry. In Israel, two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah, while 16 Israeli soldiers and one civilian have died in Lebanon.
The strike occurred despite a US-brokered ceasefire that has seen reduced hostilities. Israel states its actions are in response to Hezbollah's alleged violations of the deal, while Hezbollah claims Israel has violated the terms. The Israeli military reported hitting "three Hezbollah terrorists" on Tuesday, who they claim had attacked soldiers. Hezbollah has conducted rocket and drone attacks on Israeli troops and northern Israel.
Lebanon has repeatedly accused the Israeli military of deliberately targeting health workers. In a report last month, Amnesty International stated that "deliberately striking medics performing their humanitarian functions is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime."
