Palestinians mourn medics who came under Israeli fire, Khan Younis, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
Israeli Military Revises Account of Gaza Incident Involving Deaths of Emergency Workers
GAZA — April 6, 2025 — The Israeli military has revised aspects of its initial explanation for the deaths of 15 emergency responders near Rafah in southern Gaza, stating that investigations are ongoing as new evidence emerges, including video footage contradicting earlier claims.
Initial Incident and Revised Military Statement
The incident occurred on March 23 when 15 paramedics and emergency workers were reportedly shot and later found in a shallow grave. An additional worker remains missing. The bodies were discovered by United Nations officials and the Palestinian Red Crescent a week later.
Originally, the Israeli military claimed its forces had opened fire in the dark on vehicles that approached without lights or clear markings, stating they believed they were engaging nine militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad traveling in Palestinian Red Crescent vehicles.
However, video footage recovered from the mobile phone of one of the deceased and published by the Palestinian Red Crescent contradicts this account. The video reportedly shows paramedics in full uniform operating clearly marked ambulances and emergency vehicles with lights activated, under fire from Israeli troops.
Eyewitness and Survivor Testimony
Munther Abed, a paramedic with the Palestinian Red Crescent and the sole known survivor of the incident, stated he witnessed Israeli soldiers opening fire on the marked emergency vehicles. He was detained for several hours before being released.
An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously on Saturday, acknowledged the discrepancies in the initial field report and confirmed that an internal investigation is underway. “What we understand currently is the person who gives the initial account is mistaken. We’re trying to understand why,” the official said.
Military Defends Actions but Investigation Continues
While Israeli media have reported that at least six of the 15 deceased were identified as members of militant groups, the military has declined to publicly present evidence, citing the classified nature of the information. “According to our information, there were terrorists there, but this investigation is not over,” the military official told reporters.
Initial findings suggest that soldiers first engaged a vehicle at 4 a.m., reportedly killing two members of Hamas’s internal security and capturing a third, who allegedly confessed to Hamas affiliation under interrogation.
Two hours later, soldiers reportedly received aerial surveillance indicating a group of vehicles approaching and opened fire again, assuming a similar threat. The official stated that troops fired from a distance and denied reports that any of the emergency workers were handcuffed or executed at close range.
Demands for Independent Investigation
The United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent have called for an independent investigation into the incident. “We need justice for the victims and we need to ensure that all of those who are responsible are held to account,” said Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent.
According to U.N. accounts, a total of 17 emergency personnel from the Red Crescent, Civil Emergency Service, and U.N. teams had responded to the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. Officials claim emergency crews were killed sequentially over several hours while searching for their colleagues.
Handling of Bodies and Vehicles
The Israeli military stated it had informed the U.N. of the incident on the same day and initially covered the bodies with camouflage netting. Later, the bodies were reportedly covered with sand to protect them from animals. The official said that the vehicles were moved to clear the road using an engineering vehicle but did not explain why the vehicles were crushed and buried.
The U.N. confirmed it had been informed of the bodies’ location but said access to the site was delayed by Israeli authorities for several days. The crushed and buried vehicles included ambulances, a fire truck, and a U.N. vehicle—all clearly marked.
There was no immediate comment from U.N. officials regarding the Israeli military’s revised statements.
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