Israeli forces attacked and killed Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) medics in Gaza, targeting rescue workers who were trying to save lives. The assault left nine medics dead, while one remains missing. Their bodies, along with their vehicles, were later found buried after a week of Israeli obstruction.
Attack on Ambulances in Rafah
On March 23, an ambulance was dispatched to al-Hashaashin, Rafah, to assist civilians wounded in Israeli attacks. As the vehicle approached, Israeli forces opened fire, injuring the crew inside.
In response, the PRCS sent three more ambulances to rescue the wounded and retrieve their colleagues. These emergency teams operated in broad daylight, following standard humanitarian protocols. However, contact was soon lost with all the dispatched medics, raising alarms within the organization.
A Week of Obstruction
For days, Israeli forces blocked access to the area where the medics had disappeared. Humanitarian organizations and local officials tried repeatedly to locate the missing first responders, but Israeli authorities prevented international teams from entering the site.
After a week of delay, search teams were finally allowed into the area. What they uncovered was shocking evidence of a direct attack on humanitarian workers. The medics’ bodies and their ambulances were found buried, suggesting an attempt to cover up the assault.
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Targeting Humanitarian Workers
This attack is part of a broader pattern of Israeli strikes on medical and emergency response teams in Gaza. PRCS officials and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have condemned the killings, calling them a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
IFRC spokesperson Tommaso Della Longa confirmed that the PRCS teams were carrying out their life-saving mission when they were ambushed. Despite wearing clearly marked uniforms and operating in designated rescue vehicles, they were targeted and killed.
Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The deaths of these medics further worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have already left thousands of civilians dead and injured. Emergency responders play a crucial role in helping the wounded, yet they are being deliberately attacked.
The international community has demanded accountability, but Israeli forces continue their attacks on medical personnel, making it even more dangerous for humanitarian teams to operate in the besieged territory.
Calls for Justice
Human rights organizations and humanitarian groups have urged an independent investigation into the attack on PRCS medics. The killing of rescue workers violates the Geneva Conventions, which protect medical personnel in conflict zones.
Despite widespread condemnation, Israel has not acknowledged responsibility for the attack. The families of the slain medics, along with international organizations, continue to seek justice for the victims and demand an end to the targeting of humanitarian workers in Gaza.
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