Israeli army admits fatal error in Gaza ambulance shooting
The Israeli army admitted to a mistake that resulted in the deaths of 15 rescuers, medics, and aid workers, the BBC reported on Sunday. Soldiers fired on a convoy of ambulances in the Gaza Strip. "The New York Times" has revealed shocking footage from the phone of a medic who was killed.
What do you need to know?
- When and where did the incident happen? On 23rd March near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers fired on a convoy of ambulances.
- Why was fire opened? The Israeli army initially claimed that the convoy was approaching without lights.
- 15 medics were killed, and international organisations are demanding an independent investigation.
Initially, the Israeli side claimed that the vehicles were approaching in darkness without lights, which was perceived as a threat, prompting the soldiers to open fire. However, footage published by The New York Times clearly contradicts this. The video does not show any indication that Israeli soldiers warned they would shoot at the medics.
Israel fired on an ambulance convoy
According to The New York Times, the disturbing footage recovered from the phone of a medic — who was found at the end of March in a mass grave in Gaza alongside 14 other aid workers — shows that the ambulances and a fire truck they were using were visibly marked and had their lights on when Israeli soldiers opened fire on them with rifles.
According to reports, Israeli soldiers pulled one of the medics from the vehicle, handcuffed him, and shot him at close range. An Israeli army representative denied this.
The bodies of 15 rescuers, medics, and humanitarian organisation workers were buried. The bodies and ambulances were discovered a week later—after international organisations, including the UN, demanded information about the shooting.
The Israeli army finally admitted that the firing on the convoy of the Palestinian Red Crescent, UN, and fire trucks was a mistake. An Israeli army representative denied that the medics had ties to Hamas, despite earlier accusations.
The only survivor, Munther Abed, confirmed in a conversation with the BBC that the ambulances were marked and denied any ties to Hamas. After the shooting, soldiers removed him from the vehicle and transported him with blindfolds to a location where he was interrogated for 15 hours.
The army has announced a thorough investigation into the matter. Many international organisations, including the Palestinian Red Crescent, are calling for an independent investigation.
