Israeli air strikes kill five family members including rescue workers in Lebanon

Two successive Israeli air strikes on a residential building in southern Lebanon have killed five members of the same family, including three emergency workers, Lebanese officials report.

The attacks occurred in the town of Majdal Zoun on Tuesday.

The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that three members of the Lebanese Civil Defense, a state-run emergency service, died after being trapped under rubble caused by the second strike.

They had been responding to the initial attack to rescue those wounded.

In addition to the five fatalities, two Lebanese army soldiers were wounded in the incident.

The Lebanese Prime Minister condemned the attack, describing it as a "war crime." This incident is significant as it highlights the use of a "double tap" tactic, where an initial strike is followed by one or more subsequent attacks targeting rescuers and civilians.

Human rights groups have warned that deliberate attacks on health workers may constitute war crimes.

The Israeli military has been approached for comment but has not provided an explanation for this specific attack.

It has previously been criticized for failing to clarify strikes on health professionals during rescue missions.

The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia and political party supported by Iran, began on 2 March 2026 after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel.

Israel responded with widespread air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

Since the conflict began, over 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, including at least 103 health professionals, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

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