Lebanon’s health minister has said more than 40 rescuers and firefighters were killed by Israeli fire in three days, with 97 killed overall since Hezbollah and Israel began clashing last October, AFP reports.

Firass Abiad told reporters that in three days 40 people “among those working in ambulances and fire trucks” were killed.

He said 97 “paramedics and firefighters” had been killed and 188 wounded since fighting began.

The toll includes rescuers in organisations affiliated with Hezbollah or other Lebanese parties.

Since the clashes began, 1,974 people have been killed by Israeli fire, including 127 children, he said, adding that more than 9,350 have been wounded.