TEL AVIV, Israel – An Israeli military investigation released on Sunday highlighted “professional failures” that led to the tragic killing of 15 paramedics and first responders in Gaza in March. Most of the victims were employees of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
The incident, which resulted in the death of the group that was eventually buried in a mass grave, sparked international condemnation. The investigation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pointed out various shortcomings during the incident, including breaches of orders and failure to provide a comprehensive report.
Although the IDF stated that the troops did not engage in indiscriminate fire, they acknowledged opening fire due to what they perceived as a tangible threat amidst “operational misunderstandings.” As a result of the investigation, the commanding officer of the 14th Brigade received a reprimand, and the deputy commander of the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion involved in the incident was dismissed from his position.
The IDF expressed regret over the harm caused to innocent civilians and announced that existing protocols have been reinforced to stress the crucial need for heightened caution when operating near rescue forces and medical personnel, even in high-intensity combat zones.
The troops were involved in three separate shooting incidents on Sunday, March 23. The first shooting targeted a vehicle identified as belonging to Hamas, resulting in the death of two Palestinians and the temporary detention of another. Subsequently, the troops fired upon the convoy of PRCS ambulances and Civil Defense vehicles, resulting in the killing of 15 individuals.
Autopsy reports revealed that most of the eight PRCS medics were killed by gunshot wounds to the head or chest, while others suffered from shrapnel injuries. Despite the IDF’s initial claims that the vehicles were driving suspiciously without proper lighting, a video from one of the emergency responders showed otherwise. The IDF investigation confirmed the difficulty in identifying the ambulances due to poor night visibility.
The IDF acknowledged that operational errors led to the shooting incidents and admitted the mistakes made during a combat setting. The decision to remove and bury the bodies, along with the ambulances and other vehicles, was defended by the IDF. The organization PRCS declined to comment on the investigation, condemning the incident as a war crime according to international humanitarian law.