Lebanon - September 28, 2024

Hospitals in southern Lebanon are overwhelmed by the rising number of injuries and deaths from days of airstrikes by Israeli forces, who claim they are targeting strategic Hezbollah positions in the region.

According to Lebanese military sources, over 20 people were killed and 65 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on several areas in southern Lebanon.

The attacks also hit several clinics and civil defense centers, killing 12 people and injuring 15 others, most of whom were doctors, paramedics, nurses, and firefighters, the sources said.

In Saksakiyeh, the local medical system was overwhelmed after days of sustained attacks.

Medical workers, who have left their own families behind and are working around the clock, said the injuries and death tolls are "terrifying," and they call for international organizations to step in and provide help.

"The number, extent, and severity of the injuries that we have seen, which I believe the whole world has seen, are terrifying. The medical and nursing staff are overwhelmed, and we appeal to international organizations for help. Our survival depends on it," said Dr. Mohammed Daoud, a trauma surgeon.

"We left our families, our children, everyone, so that we could provide humanitarian and nursing services and stand by our people who are sacrificing, who lost their homes and were forced to leave. It's very tiring. We worked 36 hours without sleep," said Marwa Qubaisi, a nurse.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that as casualties from the Israeli attacks continue to grow, the ministry is working with doctors and professional unions to meet the medical needs of the displaced.

"Unfortunately, the attacks are continuing. Since midnight until now, we have had more than 25 martyrs and a large number of wounded. We have mobile medical teams that go around the shelters, each consisting of a doctor and a nurse, and in these cases, we try to find solutions by providing the necessary equipment or admitting patients to hospitals," said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad.

Israel began extensive airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, marking the most significant Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

SHOTLIST:
Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 28, 2024
1. Smoke rising, debris on street;
2. Bombarded buildings;

Saksakiyeh, Lebanon - Sept 28, 2024
3. Person injured by Israeli air strike in hospital;
4. Medical equipment;
5. Injured people on hospital bed;
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dr. Mohammed Daoud, trauma surgeon (partially overlaid with shot 7):
"The number, extent, and severity of the injuries that we have seen, which I believe the whole world has seen, are terrifying. The medical and nursing staff are overwhelmed, and we appeal to international organizations for help. Our survival depends on it.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
7. Medical worker taking care of injured people;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Injured people in hospital beds;
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Marwa Qubaisi, nurse:
"We left our families, our children, everyone, so that we could provide humanitarian and nursing services and stand by our people who are sacrificing, who lost their homes and were forced to leave. It's very tiring. We worked 36 hours without sleep.";
10. Various of injured people in hospital beds;

Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 28, 2024
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Firas Abiad, Lebanese Health Minister (partially overlaid with shot 12):
"Unfortunately, the attacks are continuing. Since midnight until now, we have had more than 25 martyrs and a large number of wounded. We have mobile medical teams that go around the shelters, each consisting of a doctor and a nurse, and in these cases, we try to find solutions by providing the necessary equipment or admitting patients to hospitals.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]

Saksakiyeh, Lebanon - Sept 28, 2024
12. Debris, bombarded vehicle;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
13. Various of bombarded vehicles, smoke rising;
14. Various of interior of bombarded buildings;

Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 28, 2024
15. Various of destroyed buildings, debris on streets.

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