NABATIYE (Southern Lebanon) – The Israeli army introduced on Tuesday that it had killed Hezbollah’s Executive Council Chairman Hashem Saffieddin, who was seen as a possible subsequent chief, in an airstrike three weeks in the past in Dahiya, a southern suburb of Beirut. It got here days after the Israel Defense Forces killed Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime chief of the Iranian-backed terrorist group designated by the United States and Israel, in one other airstrike in Lebanon.
Many of the group’s leaders have been killed previously month and a half, together with three extra commanders this week, however combating continues to rage in Lebanon. Lebanon’s Health Ministry says round 2,000 folks have been killed since Israel dramatically stepped up assaults on Hezbollah in mid-September.
There have been extra airstrikes in Beirut in a single day, every one sending first responders leaping into ambulances and heading straight to buildings diminished to rubble. CBS News met with a few of the medical staff who’re risking their lives to avoid wasting folks in fight zones.
Jumping into hazard comes naturally to them, however Hussein Fakiha, who heads a rescue crew within the southern city of Nabatiyeh, lower than 10 miles from the Israeli border, stated he and his fellow medics have been intentionally focused by Israeli forces. declare that it’s true. He was critically injured by an Israeli missile that landed subsequent to an Israeli base.
Hussein Fakiha, head of the Lebanese Civil Defense Rescue Team from the southern city of Nabaitiyeh, is seen recovering from accidents sustained in an Israeli airstrike in Nabaitiyeh, Lebanon, on October 22, 2024. CBS News/Agnes Law
He stated on October 8, 2023, when Israel started bombing Hezbollah targets in response to the group’s incessant rocket and drone fires in opposition to Israel (greater than 13,000, in keeping with the IDF, final yr). He stated his crew had no direct emotions within the months since then. I used to be threatened. But Fakih stated the scenario has solely just lately modified, with the IDF “beginning to straight goal the areas the place the groups are working, many occasions.”
“Our autos are clearly marked with internationally acknowledged symbols for rescue staff,” he stated, including that they didn’t seem to supply any safety.
Fakih’s nephew, Hussein Jaber, can also be a primary responder. It was painful for him to see so many deaths up shut, and it was much more painful when it was his personal demise.
He stated his “worst day” got here simply final week, when an Israeli assault struck subsequent to his base, injuring his colleague Naji Fas.
“He was married and had two kids. He was about 50 years previous,” Jaber stated. “He was a number of meters away from me. Unfortunately, he was injured in an airstrike proper subsequent to our base and handed away. May he relaxation in peace.”
Fakih informed CBS News that within the final month alone, eight members of his crew have been killed and 35 injured, “and 90 % of our tools has been destroyed within the assault.”
“Our job is to assist folks,” Jaber stated. “To preserve them protected…Our colleagues died, our mates have been injured, we have been injured. But we are going to proceed to assist folks and shield their livelihoods. In reality. This provides us nice motivation to proceed our humanitarian mission.”
Lebanese Civil Defense first responder Hussein Jaber and CBS News correspondent Deborah Pata react to the sounds of Israeli airstrikes close by, talking in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, October 22, 2024. CBS News
As CBS News completed interviewing Jaber, there was a walkout close by. Jaber bought a name from the individual on obligation, and instantly left work.
Two hours later, he was rushed to one more emergency scene.
“Is anybody right here?” he shouted to the pile of rubble. He and his colleagues pulled 12 our bodies from the rubble.
Shortly after finishing that grueling mission, Jaber was wounded in one other Israeli assault.
Hussein Jaber, a member of the Lebanese civil protection crew, is handled for accidents sustained in an Israeli airstrike close to Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, on October 22, 2024. CBS News
His damage was minor and he returned to work instantly, because the crew is severely understaffed.
According to the United Nations humanitarian company, at the very least 87 well being staff had been killed within the nation as of October 10, and “ambulances and aid facilities in Lebanon have been focused and attacked, resulting in additional casualties.” “is showing.” The demise toll is at the very least 120, in keeping with CBS News’ personal tally.
87 #well being care Workers have been killed and 98 medical amenities throughout the nation have been closed. #Lebanon.
Supported by UNFPA @mophleb In packaging, transportation, and supply #medication Sexual & Co., Ltd. #reproductive well being Delivering medicines and contraceptives to major well being care amenities throughout the nation. https://t.co/GAZYiG4XwZ
— UNFPA Lebanon (@UNFPALebanon) October 10, 2024
CBS News requested the IDF about civil protection groups’ claims that they have been being straight focused. “We function in strict accordance with worldwide regulation,” the army stated in a press release. “However, we should emphasize that Hezbollah illegally embeds army property in civilian populated areas and cynically makes use of civilian infrastructure for terrorist functions.” It should be carried out,” he stated.
As the Israel Defense Forces have said a number of occasions concerning operations in each Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, they’re dedicated to making sure that civilian populations will not be affected throughout operations, together with advance warning of civilians in Lebanon, the place Hezbollah is predicated. “We are making each practicable effort to scale back the danger of hurt.” its army property and weapons; ”
The Israel Defense Forces typically challenge evacuation orders earlier than assaults, however Lebanese rescue staff and civilians informed CBS News that such warnings will not be at all times given earlier than a missile hits a residential space. spoke.
Tucker Reals contributed to this report.
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