Watch: The Palestinian Red Crescent has stated that a video, found on the phone of a paramedic who was killed, highlights mistakes made by Israel’s army in their operations in southern Gaza on 23 March. Despite acknowledging these errors, Israel claims some of the emergency workers were affiliated with Hamas.
A convoy consisting of Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances, a UN car, and a fire truck from Gaza’s Civil Defence came under fire near Rafah. Initially, the Israeli military justified the attack by stating that the convoy suspiciously approached in the darkness without headlights or flashing lights. Contrary to this, footage shot by a paramedic who lost his life during the incident clearly shows that the vehicles were equipped with lights as they went to assist wounded individuals.
The video, first shared by the New York Times, captures the vehicles arriving on the scene before being attacked without warning just before dawn. It also records the paramedic, identified as Refat Radwan, offering his last prayers before the voices of approaching Israeli soldiers are heard.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson provided information to journalists, stating that soldiers had previously targeted a vehicle with three Hamas members. As the ambulances approached the area to provide help, ground troop surveillance indicated the convoy was moving suspiciously, leading the soldiers on the ground to open fire. Despite this, no evidence revealed any members of the emergency team were armed.
israel admitted that its initial account of the incident was in error, stating the report was incorrect due to misinformation from the troops involved. Video footage confirmed that the vehicles were clearly marked and the paramedics wore reflective uniforms.
Following the shooting, the soldiers buried the bodies of the 15 deceased workers in sand to protect them from wild animals, according to the IDF. The following day, the vehicles were moved and buried to clear the road. These bodies remained undisturbed until a week after the incident due to international agencies, including the UN, being unable to organize safe passage or locate the site.
The bodies were later discovered by an aid team, who also found Refat Radwan’s mobile phone containing footage of the incident. The IDF insists that at least six of the medics had ties to Hamas but has not provided any evidence. Nevertheless, it acknowledgment they were unarmed when fired upon.
The military has denied claims suggesting the medics were handcuffed prior to their deaths or executed at close range. A surviving paramedic recently spoke to the BBC, asserting that the ambulances did have their lights on and denying any affiliation with a militant group.
The IDF has pledged a thorough investigation into the occurrence, aiming to understand the chain of events and the handling of the situation. The Red Crescent and various international organizations are urging for an impartial investigation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0xp969n69o
