Footage Challenges Israeli Narrative Over Gaza Medic Deaths

In March, 15 emergency workers were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces amid conflicting accounts of the incident. Newly surfaced footage appears to contradict the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) narrative, leading to demands for an independent probe into the tragic events.

Mobile phone footage has emerged that seems to challenge the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) account concerning the deadly shooting of emergency workers in Gaza last month. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of 15 paramedics, has become a focal point of controversy following the release of a video by the New York Times. The footage, reportedly filmed by a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedic who lost his life in the incident, shows ambulances and fire trucks moving in the dark with their headlights and emergency lights activated on the morning of March 23 before coming under fire.

In an initial statement, the IDF claimed that "several uncoordinated vehicles" were moving suspiciously towards IDF troops without lights, prompting soldiers to open fire. However, a surviving paramedic told the BBC that the vehicles were clearly marked as ambulances, with all lights operational during the approach. The IDF has been contacted for further comments regarding the new evidence, which the PRCS indicated had also been presented to the UN Security Council.

The disturbing footage shows the marked emergency vehicles halting on the roadside, flashing lights still operational, as at least two crew members exited while wearing reflective clothing. The videographer's shattered windscreen is visible as gunfire erupts, with the person filming reciting prayers — later identified as one of the deceased paramedics. His phone contained the footage discovered after his body was recovered from a shallow grave a week following the shooting.

Israel has claimed that militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad were also killed in the incident but has not provided supporting evidence or clarification regarding potential threats to their forces. Following the release of the video, the IDF vowed to conduct a thorough investigation. Munther Abed, a surviving paramedic, reiterated claims of their innocence, emphasizing that all crew members were civilians dedicated solely to providing medical services.

Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the PRCS, referred to the video recording during a recent address at the United Nations, sharing the anguished last words of one of the fallen paramedics: "forgive me mum, I just wanted to help people. I wanted to save lives." He has called for accountability and an independent investigation into what he described as an "atrocious crime." Currently, one paramedic remains unaccounted for from the March 23 incident, further highlighting the complexities surrounding this tragic event.