The Israel Defense Forces has concluded its investigation into the killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza, revealing several blunders by the Israeli military.
The report said the unit’s deputy commander was dismissed for “filing an incomplete and inaccurate report during the investigation.”
On March 23, 14 rescue workers and a UN worker were killed in the Rafah area of Gaza when a convoy of Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulances, a UN vehicle, and a Gaza Civil Defense fire truck came under fire from Israeli soldiers.
The IDF said in a statement that Israeli troops opened fire, believing they were facing a threat from hostile forces.
The report said the IDF had not provided any evidence linking the deaths to Hamas, even though the names of the victims were available.
The report said the incident occurred in a “hostile and dangerous combat zone” and that the commander on the scene felt an imminent threat when The vehicles approached quickly.
The report said the commander did not recognize the ambulances due to “poor night visibility.”
Israel initially claimed that the troops opened fire because the convoy approached “suspiciously” in the dark, with its headlights off and no flashing lights. Israel said the vehicles’ movements were not pre-arranged or coordinated with the military.
However, Israel later dismissed the report as “incorrect,” noting that a video found on the deceased medic’s cellphone showed vehicles with their headlights on and flashing lights.
