IDF Acknowledges Error in Identifying Medics as Hamas Operatives – Reports
Israeli soldiers ambushed and killed 15 emergency rescue workers in Gaza last month. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged that their initial account of the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers in Gaza was inaccurate,...
TroibNews 
Israeli soldiers ambushed and killed 15 emergency rescue workers in Gaza last month.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged that their initial account of the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers in Gaza was inaccurate, according to multiple media reports released on Saturday.
On March 23, soldiers stationed near Rafah opened fire on a convoy consisting of Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances, a UN vehicle, and a fire truck from Gaza’s Civil Defence.
The IDF had initially claimed that the convoy was traveling in the dark with their lights off. However, on Saturday, the New York Times published a cellphone video that demonstrated the ambulances were clearly marked, their headlights were on, and the paramedics were wearing reflective gear when they were shot at in the Tel Sultan neighborhood of Rafah.
This video was found on the cellphone of a paramedic who was discovered along with 14 other Palestinian rescue and medical workers in a mass grave in Gaza. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies presented the video to the UN Security Council earlier this week.
An IDF official stated in a briefing to journalists later that day that the soldiers had “mistakenly” identified the rescuers as Hamas fighters. The official added that the incident “will be examined thoroughly and in depth.”
According to preliminary findings cited by the Times of Israel, the IDF set an ambush on the road around 4 a.m. local time. About half an hour later, a Hamas police vehicle passed by and exchanged fire with the soldiers, resulting in the death of one militant and the capture of two others. At approximately 6 a.m., the Israeli troops spotted the ambulance convoy and opened fire, having been informed by a surveillance drone operator that the convoy was moving in a “suspicious manner,” as stated by the IDF.
The IDF also mentioned that at least six of the deceased medics were posthumously identified by intelligence officials as Hamas operatives.
Last month, Israel resumed airstrikes and ground operations against Hamas in Gaza after attempts to implement the second phase of the ceasefire negotiated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar in January failed.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged that their initial account of the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers in Gaza was inaccurate, according to multiple media reports released on Saturday.
On March 23, soldiers stationed near Rafah opened fire on a convoy consisting of Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances, a UN vehicle, and a fire truck from Gaza’s Civil Defence.
The IDF had initially claimed that the convoy was traveling in the dark with their lights off. However, on Saturday, the New York Times published a cellphone video that demonstrated the ambulances were clearly marked, their headlights were on, and the paramedics were wearing reflective gear when they were shot at in the Tel Sultan neighborhood of Rafah.
This video was found on the cellphone of a paramedic who was discovered along with 14 other Palestinian rescue and medical workers in a mass grave in Gaza. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies presented the video to the UN Security Council earlier this week.
An IDF official stated in a briefing to journalists later that day that the soldiers had “mistakenly” identified the rescuers as Hamas fighters. The official added that the incident “will be examined thoroughly and in depth.”
According to preliminary findings cited by the Times of Israel, the IDF set an ambush on the road around 4 a.m. local time. About half an hour later, a Hamas police vehicle passed by and exchanged fire with the soldiers, resulting in the death of one militant and the capture of two others. At approximately 6 a.m., the Israeli troops spotted the ambulance convoy and opened fire, having been informed by a surveillance drone operator that the convoy was moving in a “suspicious manner,” as stated by the IDF.
The IDF also mentioned that at least six of the deceased medics were posthumously identified by intelligence officials as Hamas operatives.
Last month, Israel resumed airstrikes and ground operations against Hamas in Gaza after attempts to implement the second phase of the ceasefire negotiated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar in January failed.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
