The Red Crescent said the paramedics lost their lives in planned attacks. REUTERS
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has asked for an international investigation into the deaths of 15 emergency workers in southern Gaza. These workers, including paramedics and first responders, died on March 23 when Israeli troops opened fire on a convoy of ambulances.
The Red Crescent shared a video found on the phone of one of the eight paramedics killed. The video shows the ambulances clearly using emergency lights. The organization says this attack was not an accident but a direct and deliberate act. They believe it qualifies as a war crime.
A surviving paramedic denied any connection between the victims and armed groups. He said the team followed all safety rules. The Israeli army first claimed the vehicles were suspicious because they were driving with lights off. But later admitted this was incorrect after the video showed the flashing lights.
The video, recorded by paramedic Rifaat Radwan, lasts 18 minutes. It starts with him and a colleague, Asaad al-Nassasra, driving along a dark road. They then join two other ambulances and a fire truck. All vehicles clearly had emergency lights flashing.
Soon after, they reach a parked van. Then, the sound of gunfire begins. Radwan is heard praying as shots continue for over five minutes. Israeli soldiers can later be heard in the video.
The bodies of the 15 emergency workers were found a week later in a shallow grave. The area was too dangerous until the UN helped secure access.
The Red Crescent says this was not just one mistake. It claims the team was targeted in multiple steps. First, the ambulance heading to help bombing victims was fired upon. Then, the convoy was attacked. A fourth ambulance coming to help them was also shot at.
The area had not been marked as restricted, meaning the medics did not need special permission to go there. Also, the video shows no Israeli military vehicles nearby. Forensic reports said the medics were shot in the upper body, which the Red Crescent says proves they were targeted.
At a news conference, the Red Crescent’s president, Dr. Younes al-Khatib, called for justice. He said the group would continue to push for a fair investigation. "These 15 men died saving lives. We must get justice for them," he said.
Dr. Khatib also rejected Israel's claim that some victims were tied to Hamas. He said no proof had been shown. He added that in 50 years, no Red Crescent worker had ever carried or used weapons.
Israel's army said their chief of staff had seen the first report. He has asked for a deeper investigation and said all claims will be reviewed in full.
The conflict started after an attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023. Since then, over 50,000 people have died in Gaza, according to local health officials.
