Israeli Military Admits Mistakes in Killing of Emergency Workers in Gaza

TDT | Manama

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The Israeli military has acknowledged errors in the fatal shooting of 15 emergency workers in southern Gaza on March 23, following growing scrutiny over the incident that involved a convoy of ambulances, a UN vehicle, and a fire truck near Rafah.

The convoy, which included vehicles from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Gaza’s Civil Defence, came under Israeli fire while responding to an emergency call to aid wounded civilians. Initially, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the convoy was moving “suspiciously” without headlights or emergency lights during the early morning hours and had not coordinated its movements with military authorities.

However, mobile phone footage later emerged—filmed by one of the paramedics, Refat Radwan, who was killed in the incident—clearly showing the vehicles with lights on as they approached the scene. The video, shared by The New York Times, also captured the chilling final moments before gunfire erupted, with Radwan heard reciting his last prayers before Israeli soldiers' voices were heard approaching.

In a briefing to journalists on Saturday evening, an IDF official claimed soldiers had earlier targeted a vehicle carrying three Hamas members. When the convoy of ambulances arrived near the same area, aerial surveillance reportedly flagged the vehicles as “advancing suspiciously.” The soldiers, perceiving a potential threat when the emergency vehicles stopped beside the previously hit car, opened fire.

The IDF maintains that at least six of the medics were affiliated with Hamas, but has not provided any evidence to support the claim. It also confirmed that none of the emergency workers were armed at the time of the shooting.

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with humanitarian groups stressing the protection of medical personnel in conflict zones. The PRCS and international observers have condemned the attack, demanding an independent investigation into the killing of emergency responders.