The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) admitted on Saturday to making errors in the tragic killing of 15 members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society during an operation in Gaza, while also asserting some of the deceased may have had connections to Hamas.
Israel Acknowledges Errors in Killing of Medics in Gaza
Israel Acknowledges Errors in Killing of Medics in Gaza
Israeli forces concede to mistakes in the killing of 15 emergency workers in southern Gaza while examining claims of their links to Hamas.
The ambulance convoy, which included vehicles from the UN and Gaza's Civil Defense, was fired upon near Rafah on March 23. Israel initially stated that the convoy approached suspiciously in the dark without any lights, but this claim has now been retracted after video evidence emerged showing the ambulances with lights activated en route to assist the wounded.
The footage, captured by one of the paramedics who lost their life, depicted the scene as the treatment vehicles arrived, only to be met with gunfire shortly before dawn. In the video, Refat Radwan, a paramedic, is heard reciting prayers before the sounds of Israeli soldiers are audible as they approach the vehicles.
An IDF representative explained that the soldiers had previously fired upon a car suspecting it was carrying Hamas members, and upon seeing the approaching ambulances, assumed they were under threat. Despite there being no evidence of the emergency workers being armed, they opened fire.
Israel has since admitted that their initial account regarding the ambulances moving without lights was incorrect, an error attributed to the personal reports from the soldiers on the ground. The IDF acknowledgment emphasized that the medics were dressed in reflective uniforms, and the vehicles were clearly marked for identification.
The remains of the 15 medics were reportedly buried in the sand by soldiers to prevent wildlife interference and were not recovered for a week due to logistical challenges concerning safe passage. Evidence found with the remains included Radwan's mobile phone that contained crucial footage of the incident.
While Israeli officials assert that at least six of the medics had links to Hamas, they have yet to provide any definitive proof. The military has refuted allegations that any of the medics were handcuffed or executed.
A surviving paramedic has strongly denied any affiliations with militant groups, insisting that they had proper identification. The IDF has pledged to conduct a comprehensive review to clarify the incident and improve operational protocols, as international organizations, including the Red Crescent, demand an independent investigation into the events leading to the killings.
The footage, captured by one of the paramedics who lost their life, depicted the scene as the treatment vehicles arrived, only to be met with gunfire shortly before dawn. In the video, Refat Radwan, a paramedic, is heard reciting prayers before the sounds of Israeli soldiers are audible as they approach the vehicles.
An IDF representative explained that the soldiers had previously fired upon a car suspecting it was carrying Hamas members, and upon seeing the approaching ambulances, assumed they were under threat. Despite there being no evidence of the emergency workers being armed, they opened fire.
Israel has since admitted that their initial account regarding the ambulances moving without lights was incorrect, an error attributed to the personal reports from the soldiers on the ground. The IDF acknowledgment emphasized that the medics were dressed in reflective uniforms, and the vehicles were clearly marked for identification.
The remains of the 15 medics were reportedly buried in the sand by soldiers to prevent wildlife interference and were not recovered for a week due to logistical challenges concerning safe passage. Evidence found with the remains included Radwan's mobile phone that contained crucial footage of the incident.
While Israeli officials assert that at least six of the medics had links to Hamas, they have yet to provide any definitive proof. The military has refuted allegations that any of the medics were handcuffed or executed.
A surviving paramedic has strongly denied any affiliations with militant groups, insisting that they had proper identification. The IDF has pledged to conduct a comprehensive review to clarify the incident and improve operational protocols, as international organizations, including the Red Crescent, demand an independent investigation into the events leading to the killings.
