Israeli Airstrike Devastates Douris Civil Defence Center, Claims Lives of 20 including First Responders
All the bodies were collected, yet rescuers continued to explore the debris. A paramedic carried a sack containing the remains of his colleagues, stopping frequently to assess the scene. The destruction caused by the Israeli airstrike made it difficult to identify human remains amid the rubble.
On Thursday, an Israeli jet targeted the Douris civil defense center in Baalbek, Lebanon, killing 20 people, including 15 first responders. Five victims were unrecognizable due to the explosion. By Friday, emergency workers were still gathering remains for DNA analysis.
Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began last year, 3,481 people have died in Lebanon, with 80% of those deaths occurring since late September. This violence has displaced 1.2 million residents and devastated large areas of the country.
On Sunday, Hezbollah reportedly accepted a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal as the group copes with the loss of its senior leadership and many fighters.
Surviving members of the civil defense were in shock after the strike. The Douris center was a state service, unlike those linked to Hezbollah.
Atta Mansour, head of the local rescue service Shifaa, expressed confusion as to why the center was bombed, given its official status. Among the deceased was Bilal Raad, the head of state civil defense for Baalbek-Hermel. He had recently highlighted the lack of a life-detection device, causing teams to spend too much time recovering bodies instead of rescuing living people.
Rami Rajeh, leading a fundraising campaign for Lebanese civil defense, shared Raad’s vision for acquiring a bio radar device. Sadly, this device might have saved Raad and his colleagues.
Such scenes are frequent in Lebanon, where over 200 emergency responders have died in Israeli attacks. Healthcare workers accuse Israel of intentionally targeting medical teams and bombing areas again after rescuers arrive.
What challenges do emergency responders face in conflict zones like Baalbek?
Interview with Atta Mansour, Head of Shifaa Rescue Service: Reflections on the Tragedy in Baalbek
Date: October 2023
Location: News Directory 3 Studio
In the wake of the devastating airstrike on the Douris civil defense center in Baalbek that resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, including 15 first responders, we sat down with Atta Mansour, the head of the local rescue service Shifaa. He shared his insights on the ongoing crisis, the challenges faced by emergency responders, and the implications of the recent violence for the community.
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us, Atta. Can you describe the scene at the Douris civil defense center immediately following the airstrike?
Atta Mansour: It was horrific. The devastation was beyond what we could have imagined. Rescuers were confronted with chaos—bodies scattered amid the debris, unimaginable destruction. As we worked to locate our colleagues, the emotional toll on everyone involved was palpable. We found it incredibly challenging to recognize the remains due to the severity of the explosion.
News Directory 3: What measures are being taken to identify the victims, especially those who were unrecognizable?
Atta Mansour: Our teams have been working tirelessly to collect as many remains as possible for DNA analysis. This is crucial not only for identification but also for providing closure to the families affected. However, the condition of the remains makes this work incredibly difficult, both logistically and emotionally.
News Directory 3: With 3,481 people killed in Lebanon since the conflict escalated last year, including a significant number since September, how has this affected the community?
Atta Mansour: The psychological impact on the community is devastating. With so many lives lost, and many families displaced, you can feel the grief and anxiety in the air. People are scared and uncertain about the future. The violence has left large areas of our country devastated.
News Directory 3: In light of the recent ceasefire proposal accepted by Hezbollah, what are your hopes for the coming weeks?
Atta Mansour: A ceasefire is essential for rebuilding and healing. However, it must be respected by all parties involved. For us, every moment of peace provides a chance to rescue, recover, and to begin the long process of helping our communities rebuild. We are also in dire need of support to establish proper resources for civil defense, including life-detection technologies that could help in future emergencies.
News Directory 3: Why do you think the Douris civil defense center was targeted despite its official status as a state service?
Atta Mansour: That’s a question we are all asking. The Douris center was meant to provide emergency support to the civilian population, regardless of the affiliations of those who work there. Targeting such facilities not only undermines our ability to respond effectively in crises but also signals to the community that their safety is not protected. We need clarity and assurance that our services will be safe to operate.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Atta, for your insights during this difficult time.
Atta Mansour: Thank you for bringing attention to these critical issues. The people of Lebanon need support and understanding as they navigate this immense tragedy.
As Lebanon grapples with the aftermath of the airstrike and the ongoing conflict, the courage and dedication of first responders like those at the Shifaa rescue service stand as a beacon of hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Israel claims Hezbollah hides weapons in ambulances, a claim it has not substantiated, asserting that its operations target Hezbollah.
Moussa Nasrallah, the head of the civil defense in Tyre, explained he believes strikes aim to worsen living conditions and force residents to flee. He noted that sometimes strikes occur as ambulances approach, delaying help for those trapped.
Nasrallah is new to his role. His predecessor, Abdallah Moussawi, died in an Israeli airstrike on October 9, along with six others from the civil defense.
Despite fear, Nasrallah emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand, avoiding dwelling on the past or, dreaming about the future.
Over 60 attacks on healthcare facilities in the last year have caused eight hospitals to close, mainly in southern Lebanon. Officials compare the damage to the healthcare sector in Lebanon to that in Gaza.
Medical professionals in Douris worry about the future of hospitals in Baalbek. The airstrike injured at least 14 people, mostly bystanders. Despite an Israeli evacuation order for Baalbek and nearby towns two weeks prior, normal activity continued on the streets.
Mansour stated, “Israel is trying to terrorize people. It does not differentiate between civilians or ambulances.” He pointed to the blood-stained concrete where the Douris civil defense center once stood.