**Israel Admits to Mistakes in Gaza Ambulance Attack**
In a shocking revelation, Israel’s army has admitted that its soldiers made mistakes during the killing of 15 emergency personnel in southern Gaza on March 23. The incident occurred when a convoy of ambulances from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), a UN vehicle, and a firetruck from Gaza’s Civil Defence were attacked near Rafah.
**Eyewitness Footage Contradicts Israel’s Initial Claims**
Initial reports by Israel claimed that troops opened fire because the convoy approached in darkness without headlights or blinking lights. However, mobile phone footage taken by one of the paramedics who was killed shows that the vehicles had their lights on when they responded to a call for help. The video, shared by the New York Times, also contradicts Israel’s claim that the soldiers fired on a vehicle containing three Hamas leaders.
**Soldiers Fired Without Warning**
The video footage reveals that the shooting began without warning just before dawn and continued for over five minutes. Refat Radwan, one of the paramedics who was killed, is heard saying his final prayers before the voices of Israeli soldiers approach the vehicles. The footage clearly shows that the vehicles were marked and that the paramedics were wearing reflective hi-vis uniforms.
**Israel’s Official Explanation Raises Questions**
Israel has acknowledged that its earlier report claiming that the vehicles approached without light was inaccurate. Officials claim that the soldiers buried the 15 dead workers’ bodies in sand as a way to protect them against wild animals, but this explanation raises more questions than answers. The bodies were not discovered until a week later because international agencies including the UN could not arrange safe passage to the region or locate the spot.
**Calls for Independent Investigation**
The Red Crescent and other international organisations have called for an independent investigation into the incident. The IDF has promised to “understand” the sequence of events, but this promise falls short of a full-blown investigation. A paramedic who survived told the BBC that the ambulances were lit and denied that his colleagues were affiliated with any militant groups.
**Deeper Analysis**
The incident highlights the complex and often volatile situation in Gaza. Israel’s military actions have been met with widespread criticism from international organisations, while Hamas has used the incident to further its own agenda. The fact that Israeli soldiers fired on unarmed medics raises serious questions about the use of force by the IDF.
As we delve deeper into this story, it becomes clear that the truth behind the incident is far more complex than Israel’s initial claims. The need for an independent investigation cannot be overstated, and international pressure must be applied to ensure that justice is served.