Red Cross member Youssef Assaf succumbed to his wounds Wednesday after an Israeli strike targeted the Lebanese Red Cross Monday night. (Photo circulating on social media platforms)
The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) announced Wednesday that paramedic Youssef Assaf succumbed to wounds sustained from an Israeli strike on Majdal Zoun (Sour) while "carrying out his humanitarian duty of serving people and saving lives."
"Assaf was among the paramedics who rushed to aid victims of the hostilities," the organization said in a statement. "[The LRC], while deeply regretting the loss of one of its dedicated humanitarian volunteers, affirms that paramedics and medical personnel are not military targets and must be protected morally, as well as in accordance with international humanitarian law, international conventions, and resolutions of diplomatic conferences," they added.
A member of the LRC who worked with Assaf in southern Lebanon told L’Orient Today on Wednesday that the organization “always notifies UNIFIL before heading to a strike site, who in turn notify the Israeli army." Only then do paramedics proceed to the location. "Despite following all required safety protocols, a Red Cross member was still killed,” he said.
His funeral is to be held on Wednesday in Sour.
Aoun praises 'sacrifices of the Red Cross'
On Wednesday morning, President Joseph Aoun met with the Secretary-General of the LRC Georges Kettaneh, who confirmed to Aoun the “readiness of the Red Cross, across all its departments, to keep pace with the emerging security developments,” the state-run National News Agency reported.
He noted that there are 12,000 volunteers, including 5,000 paramedics, deployed across all Lebanese territories and equipped with ambulances and full equipment.
He also pointed out that the LRC works to provide relief assistance, shelter, primary healthcare, and psychological support, in addition to supplying blood units to hospitals and those in need.
Aoun praised “the sacrifices of the Red Cross” and offered his condolences to Kettaneh for the "martyrdom of paramedic Youssef Assaf."
Israel has killed 570 people in Lebanon, including 86 children and 14 health workers, since it began its strikes across the country on March 2, Lebanon's Health Ministry announced Wednesday.
