In recent developments regarding the tragic killings of 15 emergency workers in Gaza, the Israeli military has altered its initial account of the events that transpired last month. The incident, which occurred on 23 March 2024, has sparked calls for independent inquiries as new evidence challenges the military’s narrative.
Details of the Incident
The Israeli military initially reported that its forces opened fire on what they described as suspicious vehicles approaching their position without lights or markings. They claimed to have killed nine militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, travelling in Palestinian Red Crescent vehicles.
However, video evidence retrieved from the phone of one of the deceased emergency workers, along with testimonies, painted a different picture. It showed clearly marked ambulances and fire trucks, with lights on, being targeted by soldiers. The only survivor of the incident, Munther Abed, a Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic, corroborated these details.
Military’s Revised Position
Following scrutiny, the military stated that investigators were still examining footage and that findings would be presented to army commanders. An Israeli official mentioned that preliminary investigations indicated a perceived threat from the approaching vehicles, suggesting a “sense of threat” influenced the troops’ decision to open fire.
Six of the deceased were identified as Hamas militants, though the military has not provided specifics about how these identifications were made.
Calls for Inquiry
- The UN and the Palestinian Red Crescent are demanding an independent inquiry into the event.
- Some reports suggest that troops mistreated the paramedics, a claim the military denies, stating that measures were taken to inform the UN immediately after the incident.
In their defence, military officials stressed that the incident was not covered up. They asserted that troops communicated with the UN on the same day, explaining that they attempted to safeguard the bodies until they could be properly recovered.
Ongoing Investigations
While the Israeli military continues its investigation, questions remain about the propriety of their actions and the safety of emergency responders during escalations. As new evidence surfaces, the narrative surrounding this tragic event continues to evolve.