Israeli Bombs Fell Dangerously Close to 19 Lebanese Hospitals, CNN Analysis Shows

On October 21, an Israeli airstrike hit a building across from Lebanon’s largest public hospital, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, shaking the area and shattering windows. Mohammad Fouani, an ER nurse at the hospital, described the chaos, saying he was thrown over a patient by the impact and could barely see his colleagues through the smoke. He noted that every night of the war has been challenging, but this strike was especially traumatic.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted a Hezbollah site, even though this particular area in Beirut’s southern suburbs was not part of its evacuation order. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the strike resulted in 18 deaths, including four children, and injured 60 more in the nearby residential building.

Lebanon’s healthcare system is under heavy strain as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, with the south and southern Beirut hit hardest. Since Israel’s offensive began on September 23, airstrikes have damaged 34 hospitals, killed 111 emergency medical personnel, and hit 107 ambulances, based on health ministry data.

Nearly 20% of Lebanon’s registered hospitals have suffered damage from nearby strikes, according to Lebanese health data. CNN’s analysis found that Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly hit within close proximity to hospitals, violating protections under international law. The Israel Defense Forces responded by claiming adherence to international law and accusing Hezbollah of using civilian areas, including medical facilities, as shields.

Lebanese Health Minister Dr. Firass Abiad argued that Israel is “weaponizing” access to healthcare, likening these actions to Israeli strikes on hospitals in Gaza. He emphasized that health facilities should be safe spaces, suggesting Israel’s approach in both Lebanon and Gaza is part of a broader policy.

CNN’s investigation into over 240 verified strikes in Lebanon found that at least 24 hospitals were within a 500-meter danger radius of bombings, while 19 were within a lethal 340-meter range. This analysis, covering only one month of strikes, is likely conservative compared to data from ACLED, which estimates over a thousand Israeli strikes on Lebanon in that timeframe.

Trevor Ball, a former U.S. military ordnance expert, explained that even strikes several hundred meters away can still harm people and damage structures due to blast waves and fragmentation. The IDF, while not commenting on specific CNN findings, stated that its targets are Hezbollah and that measures are taken to avoid civilian harm.

Dr. Abiad, who has extensive experience as a healthcare provider, said these close-range attacks have severely impacted healthcare access. Fear of attacks now discourages people from seeking care, with some patients preferring to leave the hospital rather than risk staying.