An internal Israeli military investigation into the killing of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza in March has concluded that “professional failures” led to the fatal shooting, resulting in the dismissal of a deputy battalion commander.
The incident occurred on 23 March 2024 in Tel al-Sultan, a district in Rafah, southern Gaza, during pre-dawn military operations by Israeli forces.
Initially, the Israeli military claimed that the targeted ambulances did not have emergency signals activated. However, this account was later retracted after a cellphone video recovered from one of the medics, Rifaat Radwan, contradicted the assertion.
According to the investigation, the deputy commander opened fire based on “poor night visibility” and misidentified the ambulances as belonging to Hamas militants. The remaining soldiers reportedly followed his lead.
Footage from the scene showed clearly marked ambulances with flashing lights and visible medical logos. As medics emerged from their vehicles to assist a previously hit ambulance, Israeli forces opened sustained gunfire lasting over five minutes.
The victims included eight members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, six Civil Defense workers affiliated with Gaza’s Hamas-run administration, and a United Nations staff member.
After the shooting, Israeli forces bulldozed the scene, burying the bodies and vehicles in a mass grave. It took a week before UN and rescue teams were able to retrieve the remains.
The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent has alleged that the medics were “targeted at close range,” a claim the Israeli military denies. The investigation asserted there was no evidence of executions or that the victims were restrained before or after being shot.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) described the incident as an “operational misunderstanding.” A separate shooting that occurred 15 minutes later, targeting a UN vehicle, was labelled a breach of military orders.
The IDF confirmed that the deputy commander who first engaged will be dismissed. Maj Gen Yoav Har-Even, head of the military’s investigative branch, stated that the crushing of the ambulances was a misjudgement, but not a cover-up.
Har-Even added that the road was cleared to be used later for an evacuation route and that international agencies were informed on the same day.
According to the IDF, six of the deceased were members of Hamas, while others were mistakenly identified as militants. The Civil Defense in Gaza is considered part of the Hamas-run government.
Israel has consistently accused Hamas of using ambulances and other civilian infrastructure to conceal fighters, a claim widely denied by medical personnel. The Israeli military maintains that such allegations justify certain strikes.
The military’s statement expressed “regret” over the harm caused to uninvolved civilians. One medic who survived the shooting is currently in Israeli custody under investigation.
The findings have been handed to the Military Advocate General (MAG), who has authority to decide on criminal charges. The MAG functions independently, with oversight from Israel’s Attorney General and Supreme Court.
At present, no external investigations into the killings have been launched.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has called for an independent international inquiry and labelled the incident a “fully fledged war crime” and insisted the attack was not a mistake but part of “a series of deliberate attacks.”
It released the full video on 1 April, saying it offered clear visual and audio evidence that the medics were identifiable and following all operational protocols.
Radwan’s video shows him and colleague Asaad al-Nassasra, whose fate remains unknown, coordinating with another ambulance crew before forming a convoy. A fire engine and additional ambulances—clearly marked and illuminated—then appear. As the convoy pulls over near a van, gunfire erupts.
Human rights organisations have frequently criticised Israel for what they allege is a pattern of inadequate accountability for military misconduct.
The UN reports that over 150 emergency responders and more than 1,000 health workers have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
Maj Gen Har-Even revealed that 421 war-related incidents are currently under IDF investigation, with 51 cases already referred to the MAG. Details on how many involve civilian deaths or result in prosecution were not provided.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes. Israel, which does not recognise ICC jurisdiction, has dismissed the charges, arguing that its judiciary is capable of addressing such matters internally.
The war in Gaza began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas-led militants launched a deadly assault in southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The fighting has devastated Gaza, displacing around 90% of its population and decimating essential infrastructure, including food production.
Public frustration continues to rise, with protests in Gaza against Hamas and weekly demonstrations in Israel urging action to secure the release of remaining hostages.
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