A group of individuals assaulted a doctor and opened fire on Sunday at the Abdallah al-Rassi Government Hospital in Halba (Akkar), without causing any casualties, according to information from medical staff and patients received by L'Orient Today's correspondent.

The assault targeted a surgeon inside the facility who refused to operate on a patient in the absence of an X-ray, insisting on adhering to medical procedures. The attackers, whose identities were still unknown, then opened fire on several floors of the hospital, including towards the operating room. The condition of the assaulted doctor remains unknown at this time.

Condemnation by the Health Ministry

Commenting on this assault, the Health Ministry stated that security services intervened "quickly" to contain the shooting. It condemned "in the strongest terms the violent attacks against a public hospital and one of its doctors." The ministry later demanded that maximum penalties be "imposed on the attackers" to ensure that such violations do not occur again and to reaffirm its "rejection of any aggression or violation of the sanctity of hospitals and health establishments under any circumstances."

The medical, health and administrative staff of al-Habtoor Hospital in Harar (Akkar) organized a solidarity sit-in in support of their colleagues, to condemn the "heinous" attack on the neighboring government hospital, which constituted a "direct threat to the lives of patients and the staff of the establishment."

In a joint statement, the medical staff of al-Habtoor Hospital insisted on the necessity of ensuring permanent protection for hospitals so that they can fulfill their humanitarian mission without any threat or pressure. The text also recalls that hospitals must remain "safe havens for patients."

In 2021, after a series of assaults on doctors and medical staff in different regions of Lebanon, notably linked to the socio-economic crisis, Parliament adopted a law aimed at protecting doctors. The law sentences those found guilty for up to six months in prison and a fine.

Nawaf Salam's tour in Northern Lebanon on Tuesday

The assault at the Abdallah al-Rassi Hospital followed another incident earlier on Sunday concerning a traffic priority issue in Mouhammara, at the southern entrance of Akkar, between groups of young men from Bebnine and Mouhammara, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent who gathered statements from those present during the events. The quarrel quickly escalated into a brawl, followed by gunfire that hit a car transporting a family. Two people were injured, a woman and a child, both of whom were urgently transferred to the Abdallah al-Rassi Government Hospital. The condition of the former was deemed critical.

Northern Lebanon regularly witnesses clashes or violence, notably linked to new developments in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime or family disputes. In response to these tensions, the new interior minister, security forces, and local authorities have implemented yet another security plan for the city, coinciding with the start of Ramadan, but have been unable to prevent deadly shootings.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is set to chair two security meetings tomorrow Tuesday, in Tripoli and Akkar, during a tour of Northern Lebanon.