Lebanon: Death, injury and significant damage after Israeli airstrike in Sour

MSF condemns the airstrike carried out by the Israeli army on the evening of 1 June in the vicinity of Jabal Amel Hospital, which we support, in Sour (also known as Tyre) in Southern Lebanon. 

According to the Ministry of Public Health, the attack has so far resulted in four deaths and 127 injuries, including 39 hospital staff. Among the injured staff, four are in critical condition and are receiving treatment in intensive care. Bodies are still being recovered from the rubble, and the total number of dead and injured could still rise.

The strike caused severe damage to Jabal Amel Hospital itself, including its inpatient department, radiology department and intensive care unit. One wall of an operating room has been severely damaged, leaving a large hole, and the medical team had to urgently transfer half of the remaining patients in the intensive care unit to another ward to ensure their safety. 

The previous day, nearby Hiram Hospital – another MSF-supported facility – was also struck by an Israeli airstrike and 13 healthcare workers were injured according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

These incidents come amid a sharp escalation of violence in the last few days, as Beirut’s southern suburbs were once again placed under Israeli displacement orders on Monday. This followed a blanket displacement order issued on Sunday for the entire South up to the Zahrani River.

“These repeated attacks reflect a grave failure to protect the medical mission and underscore the urgent need to safeguard civilians, medical staff, health facilities, and continuous access to life-saving care,” said Omar Ebeid, MSF Project Coordinator in Southern Lebanon.