Attacks on hospitals now happen with impunity, analysis finds

International law is increasingly being ignored in conflict zones, leaving healthcare workers and the injured vulnerable, according to reporting from The Guardian. The article highlights the "deathly reality" faced by those in conflict areas, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, where hospitals and medical personnel have been targets.

William Christou, a reporter based in Beirut, reflects on Israel's ongoing campaign of attacks against Lebanese healthcare workers. The piece also features insights from Natasha Sax, a legal expert with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) who has experience in Gaza, Iraq, and Lebanon. Sax discusses why international law appears to be failing in its protective capacity for medical facilities and personnel.

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how this deathly reality came to be.

The broader context is a global erosion of norms and disregard for laws, which cynics might argue has always been the case, wielded by powerful actors. However, the article suggests that even the "mirage" of an international rules-based order seems to have faded, making the situation particularly acute for those in conflict zones. Palestine is noted as having the highest number of healthcare workers killed in the past five years, underscoring the severe impact on medical infrastructure and staff.

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why international law is failing.