Israel Accused of Targeting Palestinian Medical Personnel and Relief Workers
UN reports on the killing of humanitarian workers in Rafah raises concerns over operational protocols.
On March 23, Israeli soldiers allegedly killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and civil protection workers in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, including a UN staff member, according to reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The incident occurred while the victims were responding to assist a previously attacked rescue team.
The UN humanitarian agency stated that the vehicles of the workers were clearly marked, yet they came under intense Israeli fire while trying to rescue their colleagues in distress.
Reports indicate that the bodies were buried in a mass grave, with evidence suggesting the presence of handcuffs on some of the corpses.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that the first ambulance reached the hospital, but contact was lost with the second ambulance that was dispatched for support.
A convoy consisting of five vehicles, which included ambulances, civil defense vehicles, and health ministry cars, was also targeted, resulting in most fatalities occurring during this second attack.
Among the deceased, eight were from the PRCS, six were civil defense workers, and one was a UN staff member.
One paramedic reported live via telephone that they were injured as Israeli soldiers approached, and audible comments in Hebrew suggested discussions about gathering them against a wall and bringing handcuffs.
The Israeli military stated that the movements of the affected vehicles had not been coordinated in advance with the army, and insisted that the area was considered an active operational zone.
Conversely, the PRCS claimed that the vicinity had been designated as safe, and movements in that area did not require coordination.
According to both the UN and the International Red Cross, this incident represents the most serious attack on humanitarian rescue teams since 2017.
Reports indicate that the deceased workers' bodies were thrown into a mass grave and covered with sand, with some still bearing signs of being bound.
Since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the UN estimates that at least 1,060 healthcare workers have been killed, leading to a third of the international personnel working in Gaza being withdrawn due to safety concerns.
The incident occurred while the victims were responding to assist a previously attacked rescue team.
The UN humanitarian agency stated that the vehicles of the workers were clearly marked, yet they came under intense Israeli fire while trying to rescue their colleagues in distress.
Reports indicate that the bodies were buried in a mass grave, with evidence suggesting the presence of handcuffs on some of the corpses.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that the first ambulance reached the hospital, but contact was lost with the second ambulance that was dispatched for support.
A convoy consisting of five vehicles, which included ambulances, civil defense vehicles, and health ministry cars, was also targeted, resulting in most fatalities occurring during this second attack.
Among the deceased, eight were from the PRCS, six were civil defense workers, and one was a UN staff member.
One paramedic reported live via telephone that they were injured as Israeli soldiers approached, and audible comments in Hebrew suggested discussions about gathering them against a wall and bringing handcuffs.
The Israeli military stated that the movements of the affected vehicles had not been coordinated in advance with the army, and insisted that the area was considered an active operational zone.
Conversely, the PRCS claimed that the vicinity had been designated as safe, and movements in that area did not require coordination.
According to both the UN and the International Red Cross, this incident represents the most serious attack on humanitarian rescue teams since 2017.
Reports indicate that the deceased workers' bodies were thrown into a mass grave and covered with sand, with some still bearing signs of being bound.
Since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the UN estimates that at least 1,060 healthcare workers have been killed, leading to a third of the international personnel working in Gaza being withdrawn due to safety concerns.
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