Survivor of Israeli Attack on Gaza Medics Challenges Official Narrative

Munther Abed, the only survivor of a deadly assault on paramedics in Gaza, challenges the Israeli military's account of the incident that claimed the lives of his colleagues, asserting their actions were solely aimed at providing humanitarian assistance.

Munther Abed, a Gaza paramedic, has emerged as the only survivor of a harrowing incident in which 15 emergency workers were killed by an Israeli attack. The assault took place during the early hours of March 23, when Munther, who was in the back of an ambulance, managed to save himself by diving to the floor as gunfire erupted. “I’m the only survivor who saw what happened to my colleagues,” he told a BBC freelancer, while looking at photos of his fallen team members.

The paramedic recounted how his team from the Palestinian Red Crescent, along with Civil Defence and UN agencies, responded to reports of gunfire and casualties in Rafah just before dawn. At approximately 05:00, the vehicles were attacked, with Israeli forces claiming that they opened fire due to suspicious movements and the vehicles’ lights being off. Israeli military officials assert that nine operatives from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were neutralized in the attack.

However, Munther contests this narrative, arguing that all the emergency vehicles were clearly marked and had their lights on before coming under fire. After the attack, he was pulled from the wreckage by Israeli soldiers and subsequently detained for over 15 hours of interrogation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not responded to his allegations directly.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reiterated the official stance, asserting the attack was not random and emphasizing that uncoordinated vehicles posed a perceived threat. He claimed a Hamas operative was killed during the incident, although there has been no evidence linking him to the deceased emergency workers.

Munther insists that no militant affiliations exist among emergency crews, stating, “We don’t belong to any militant group. Our main duty is to offer ambulance services and save people’s lives.” The family of one fallen medic described his killing as cold-blooded, highlighting the deep grief and calls for accountability among the survivors and families affected.

International retrieval of the bodies was delayed by a week, presenting concerns over compliance with humanitarian laws. UNRWA’s acting director noted the indignity in which the deceased workers were treated and called for a thorough investigation into the attack.

Despite the tragedy, Munther commits to sharing the stories of his fallen colleagues. "I will expose the crimes committed by the [Israeli] occupation against my colleagues," he states solemnly, emphasizing the camaraderie they shared. The calls for accountability grow louder as the conflict in Gaza continues, with the deaths of healthcare workers raising significant concerns regarding their safety in the region.