Friday briefing: Why attacks on hospitals from Ukraine to Lebanon now happen with impunity
In today’s newsletter: The legal protections once considered foundational in conflict are now routinely bypassed, with healthcare personnel treated as legitimate targets Good morning. While you were asleep, Donald Trump claimed a deal had been reached for the “complete disarmament of Hamas” in Gaza. His announcement, characteristically, does not seem watertight, with briefings from both sides…
Today's briefing delves into the troubling trend of hospitals being targeted with impunity across the globe, from Ukraine to Lebanon. This disturbing shift in conflict dynamics sees healthcare personnel increasingly treated as legitimate targets, undermining the traditional legal protections afforded to medical facilities and their staff.
In the realm of international politics, the recent announcement by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential deal for Hamas's complete disarmament and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza has sparked skepticism among world leaders. While both sides claim progress, the lack of clarity surrounding the implementation details leaves room for contentious points that may prove challenging to resolve.
The conflict in the Middle East has seen Israel and Hamas accused of war crimes, with the international criminal court issuing an arrest warrant for former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two years ago. The escalating tensions have reached a point where the label of "illegal" has become commonplace, as the world watches in disbelief as laws are disregarded and norms are abandoned.
Beyond the Middle East, other parts of the world are not immune to the disregard for international law. In England, a wildfire has forced the evacuation of hundreds of people near the Sizewell B nuclear power station, raising concerns over potential radioactive contamination. In the political sphere, Labour has accused Reform UK of being "up to its neck in sleaze" following substantial donations from the mother of a convicted fraudster.
Meanwhile, the Spanish government has deployed additional troops and police to Ceuta, its northern African enclave, in response to thousands of migrants swimming and wading into the territory from neighboring Morocco. Finally, in the United Kingdom, the co-founder of Palestine Action has secured permission to challenge a ban against the organization at the country's highest court.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
