Summary of the Incident Involving Red Crescent and Civil Defence Teams
Footage released by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society captures the tragic events that unfolded on March 23, involving emergency responders in Rafah, Gaza. The video shows Red Crescent and Civil Defence vehicles, marked with logos and flashing lights, arriving to assist an ambulance that had reportedly come under fire. As three medics disembark and approach the distressed ambulance, they face a sudden barrage of gunfire lasting over five minutes, during which a witness can be heard expressing despair and praying for their safety.
The attack resulted in the deaths of eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil Defence workers, and a UN staff member, as Israeli troops conducted operations in the Tel al-Sultan area. Following the shooting, Israeli forces allegedly bulldozed the bodies and vehicles, burying them in a mass grave. It wasn’t until a week later that UN and rescue teams could access the site to recover the remains.
The footage, found on a phone belonging to one of the fallen medics, was later shared with the UN Security Council by the Palestinian ambassador, highlighting the urgent call for accountability. A survivor, Munzer Abed, confirmed the events depicted in the video, which has since been obtained by the Associated Press, highlighting the harrowing reality faced by emergency responders in conflict zones.
Additionally, reports indicate that one medic, Assaad al-Nassasra, remains missing, with allegations that Israeli troops took him captive during the incident. Calls for an impartial investigation into the actions of the Israeli military have been made, as trust in internal military inquiries is low.
The Israeli military has stated that they opened fire because the vehicles appeared to approach suspiciously without headlights or emergency signals, an assertion later modified to claim that the vehicles bore emergency lights when they were targeted. The aftermath has drawn international scrutiny, with accusations from the Israeli side alleging that Hamas uses ambulances for military purposes, a claim that medical personnel largely reject.
Throughout the conflict, numerous emergency responders have been killed while on duty, raising alarm over the risks faced by humanitarian workers in such environments. As the situation unfolds, the need for transparency and accountability in military engagements remains pressing, with calls for the protection of medical personnel in compliance with international humanitarian law.