Reporting from Beirut: The Reality of War for Red Cross Volunteers in Lebanon
In Beirut, the words “humanity,” “volunteerism,” “unity,” and “impartiality” surround a cross painted in blood red on a white wall. This scene is at the entrance of a temporary branch of the Lebanese Red Cross, near the Hezbollah stronghold that has been relentlessly bombed by Israel for over two weeks.
Samir Rahal, a 28-year-old volunteer, points to a partially collapsed false ceiling. He attributes it to a strike nearby, saying, “The bombed buildings are very close to us. Every day, we hear the bombings.”
Samir and other rescuers stationed in this temporary branch near Beirut’s southern suburb are on the front lines of the war. They are the ones called to intervene in the most dangerous areas to rescue the injured or evacuate the dead after a bombing.
Israel has escalated its strikes against Lebanon since Hezbollah launched attacks on its territory on March 2 in response to the Israeli-American war against Iran, its sponsor.
This new Israeli military offensive, the second in less than two years, has already claimed over 900 lives and left 2,000 injured. Among the victims are 38 rescuers, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
Youssef Assaf, a 35-year-old rescuer, was one of the casualties. He was in a Red Cross ambulance when an Israeli strike hit Tyr in southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities directly blamed Israel for the incident.
For Samir, Youssef’s death only heightens his fears.
“It’s dangerous, of course. We always live in danger. The risk of a strike is always present, we are never completely safe.”
To avoid being caught in the crossfire, Samir and his colleagues sometimes wait long minutes before being allowed to intervene after a bombing, as Israel frequently launches repeated strikes on the same target.
Samir explains, “We wait for the green light from the command center before [going on a mission], because, in most cases, there are more than one explosion. Sometimes, there are two or three, so we have to wait for a bit more security until the bombing stops.”
Samir is interrupted by the arrival of a group of ambulance workers returning from a rescue mission in an area near the airport targeted by an Israeli strike. The toll: one dead and nine injured.
Georges Kettaneh, the general secretary of the Lebanese Red Cross, is also concerned. He aims to ensure the protection of their approximately 5,000 rescuers across Lebanon.
“It’s starting to be more difficult now, in terms of respecting international humanitarian law. It has become riskier.”
He fears losing protection and calls for safeguarding civilians, the injured, and the Lebanese Red Cross.
“I am afraid. I am afraid of losing protection. […] I request to protect civilians, the injured, and the Lebanese Red Cross.”
Before sending rescuers to a bombed area, the Red Cross coordinates with local authorities, the Lebanese army, and the UN peacekeepers, who then notify the Israelis. Georges Kettaneh says, “We inform them of our mission, the ambulance plate number that will move, the route we will take, and the number of rescuers present.”
Nothing is left to chance to avoid becoming targets of potential Israeli strikes.
However, all these precautions are deemed insufficient. Georges Kettaneh laments, “There is a risk. There are no guarantees.”
“I tell you: normally, we respond immediately, but it’s risky. Now, we have to wait a few minutes to see if there will be another attack… because [otherwise], instead of saving victims, we will need someone to save us.”
In addition to evacuating war victims, the Red Cross continues to provide primary healthcare, psychological support, and blood supply to hospitals and those in need.
The Red Cross is present “throughout Lebanese territory,” insists Georges Kettaneh, despite evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army in several regions, including Beirut’s southern suburbs and much of southern Lebanon.
“We will not leave those areas,” vows the head of the Red Cross. “We stay to give hope to the community.”
He adds, “Our goal is to save lives and preserve the dignity of anyone in need, regardless of nationality or religion.”
For him, the only difference that matters is the blood type you belong to. “Humanity is O+, A+, B-, AB. Regardless of nationality or religion, it’s the same for us.”
