Two Lebanese Red Cross paramedics were injured Tuesday when their ambulance struck a landmine in Zawtar al-Sharqiya, southern Lebanon. The area is known to contain mines and unexploded ordnance, complicating rescue efforts.
The incident highlights the ongoing danger posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance in southern Lebanon, complicating humanitarian efforts and occurring amidst sensitive security arrangements between Lebanon and Israel.
Two Lebanese Red Cross paramedics were injured on Tuesday when their ambulance struck a landmine in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya. The organization stated that the vehicle was damaged and that the area is known to contain mines and unexploded ordnance, which complicated rescue and evacuation efforts.
According to reports, a total of four members of the Lebanese Red Cross were injured in the incident, which occurred on the Maifdoun-Zawtar road. The explosion was caused by remnants of war, with a cluster of landmines detonating as the convoy entered the town. The presence of suspicious unexploded objects at the site hindered the evacuation of the wounded.
The incident took place amidst evolving security arrangements in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army beginning the first phase of implementing security measures with Israel. Lebanese army units had entered Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, and engineering units were working to secure roads and inspect potential hazards. The Lebanese army command reported that Israeli forces opened fire near its units during the deployment, alleging that Lebanese soldiers had crossed into a designated security zone.