**Israeli Military Killed 15 Palestinian Emergency Workers in Gaza**
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has called for an independent international investigation into the killing of 15 emergency workers, including paramedics and first-responders, by Israeli troops in Gaza. The incident occurred on March 23 when a convoy of ambulances was fired upon, leaving eight paramedics and six Civil Defence first-responders dead.
A video released by the Palestine Red Crescent Society shows the moment the ambulances were attacked, with gunfire erupting as the paramedics stepped out to assist. The video, filmed by one of the surviving paramedics, Rifaat Rifaat Radwan, provides clear evidence of the deliberate attack on the emergency workers.
According to the society, the video shows that the convoy was traveling with its emergency lights on, contradicting initial claims by the Israeli military that the ambulances were driving with their lights off. The society also states that the area where the incident occurred was not classified as a “red zone” by the Israeli military, meaning no prior coordination was required to access the site.
**Deliberate Attack**
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has accused Israel‘s military of carrying out a “fully fledged crime” and called for those responsible to face justice. The society claims that the video shows this was not a random incident or an individual error but rather a number of deliberate attacks on emergency workers.
In a statement, Younes al Khatib, the president of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, said: “We will pursue this issue to the end. These 15 men represent all those who have been killed in the name of saving lives and for the sake humanity… And justice was denied to them.”
**Israeli Military Investigation**
The Israeli military has launched an investigation into the incident, but the Palestine Red Crescent Society does not trust it to provide answers, citing previous experiences. The society also rejected the military’s accusation that Hamas members were among the dead, saying there is no evidence of such affiliation.
In a press release, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said its Chief Staff has instructed further investigation into the incident and all claims regarding the event will be examined in detail before a decision is made on how to proceed.
**Broader Context**
The incident occurred during an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 50,750 Palestinians have died in Gaza since a cross-border attack by Israel in October 2023. The Israeli military launched an offensive against Hamas in response to the attack.
In conclusion, the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workers by Israeli troops in Gaza is a tragic and disturbing incident that highlights the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region.