Gaza Paramedics' Deaths Prompt Calls for Accountability Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes

Following a deadly strike that resulted in the deaths of 15 paramedics, the Palestine Red Crescent is demanding justice and an independent investigation into the incident. The Israeli military acknowledges the killings but claims they were due to perceived threats.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society has raised the alarm over a tragic incident in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces launched a series of attacks that killed at least 15 emergency responders last month. The Red Crescent officials characterized these killings as "a full-fledged war crime" during a press briefing in the West Bank, emphasizing that the paramedics faced deliberate targeting over a two-hour span on March 23.

According to the Red Crescent, the emergency workers were clearly identifiable; they were in recognizable uniforms and driving marked vehicles flashing emergency lights. In response, the Israeli military stated it is investigating the incident, claiming a "preliminary inquiry" found that troops fired upon the workers after feeling threatened, noting that six of the deceased were allegedly Hamas terrorists, though they offered no evidence to support this assertion.

Both the Red Crescent and the United Nations contend that the fatalities involved unarmed aid workers who posed no danger. The Israeli military did not confirm the armed status of the individuals involved.

Additionally, the violence in the Gaza Strip continues as an Israeli strike near a hospital resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a journalist from the Palestine Today news agency. This incident has brought the total number of Palestinian journalists killed in the ongoing conflict to 210, according to Gaza's governmental press office. The latest casualties highlight the risks faced by media personnel covering the war, including notable journalist Hassan Aslih, who sustained injuries in the strike.