IDF says it struck Hezbollah operatives dressed as paramedics in south Lebanon on Saturday

The Israeli military says it struck a “Hezbollah terror cell dressed as paramedics” in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

According to the IDF, the Hezbollah operatives were operating next to an ambulance.

“The terrorists who were targeted had been systematically transferring weapons using ambulances from northern to southern Lebanon, as part of ongoing terror activities and for use against IDF troops and the State of Israel,” the military claims.

Lebanon’s health minister on Saturday reported that nine medics were killed in Israeli strikes, including four from Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Committee and five from the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement’s Risala Scouts.

The IDF has warned several times that Hezbollah is using ambulances and medical facilities in Lebanon for military purposes.

“In the past month alone, dozens of rockets have been launched toward the State of Israel and at IDF soldiers from areas in which these terrorists operated, while they exploited ambulances and medical infrastructure for military purposes,” the IDF says.

“The use of ambulances and medical teams to conceal terror activities constitutes a severe violation of international law. Under IDF directives and in accordance with international law, medical teams are afforded special protection, provided they do not engage in hostile acts outside their humanitarian duties and subject to the conditions established under the law,” the military adds.