In a shocking escalation of violence in Lebanon, at least four hospitals have suspended operations due to relentless Israeli airstrikes hitting health facilities. Reports confirm that 11 paramedics lost their lives in the past 24 hours, a grim tally as the conflict intensifies.

The closures of these hospitals are the latest development in a tragic two-week period that has seen Israeli attacks target healthcare workers and facilities across Lebanon, leading to the shutdown of at least 37 medical establishments and the deaths of many healthcare professionals, as reported by the World Health Organization.

On Friday night, the Israeli army claimed that Hezbollah was misusing medical vehicles for transporting fighters and arms. They issued a stern warning that any vehicles suspected of military use would be targeted. This alarming assertion adds a disturbing layer to a conflict that is increasingly endangering the lives of civilians and healthcare personnel alike.

Dr. Mounes Kalakish, director of the Marjayoun governmental hospital, recounted the terrifying events that led to the decision to close. After an airstrike struck two ambulances at the hospital's entrance, killing seven paramedics, Dr. Kalakish described the scene as one of chaos and fear. “We tried to calm the staff and continue our duties, but their terror made it impossible,” he lamented.

The emergency director, Dr. Shoshana Mazraani, shared her harrowing experience during the strike, stating, “I could hear the cries of the paramedics who were hit but was warned to stay behind for safety." The impact of the airstrike devastated a hospital already stretched thin; down from a regular staff of 120 to just 20, the Marjayoun hospital’s closure exemplifies a "tragedy for the region" as they could no longer provide critical services, including dialysis for their local patients.

Similar fates befell other hospitals in the area. The Saint Therese hospital, located just outside Beirut's suburbs, suspended operations after sustaining damage from an Israeli strike. Hospital staff across the region are continuing their work but under severe limitations, with many frightened to leave the hospital premises fearing further assaults.

In a staggering turn of events, the Salah Ghandour hospital in Bint Jbeil also announced its closure after suffering from intense shelling. The Israeli army justified these actions, claiming to have targeted a mosque nearby that they alleged was being used by Hezbollah fighters.

The Israeli air strikes are not localized to southern Lebanon alone; a medical center in central Beirut affiliated with the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Organisation was struck on Thursday, resulting in nine fatalities and multiple injuries. The Israeli military asserted the attack targeted what it described as "terror assets."

The Lebanese Red Cross reported that four of its paramedics were wounded while facilitating a patient evacuation, despite previously coordinating with Israeli forces to ensure safe passage. Gabriel Karlsson, the British Red Cross’s country manager in Beirut, emphasized the dire need for safeguarding the health and rescue workers tirelessly aiding communities amidst chaos.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated that 28 healthcare workers had been killed in just the last 24 hours, with many more too frightened to report for duty. Dr. Kalakish further noted that his facility was already working without critical staff like anesthesiologists, as some medical personnel evacuated due to safety concerns while others were trapped by airstrikes on routes leading to the hospital.

Lebanon’s Health Minister, Firass Abiad, reported a staggering toll with 97 rescue workers having been killed since the outbreak of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel last October, a stark reminder of the conflict's brutal impact on human lives. This crisis continues to unfold, straining an already fragile healthcare system and deepening the humanitarian nightmare in Lebanon.

Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing tragedy forcing healthcare professionals and civilians alike into a fight for survival. What will happen next in this escalating conflict?