Palestinian Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza: Video Contradicts Israeli Army's Version
A video obtained from the mobile phone of one of the 15 humanitarian workers killed by Israeli forces on March 23 shows they were clearly identified as paramedics.
On March 23, 2025, 15 humanitarian workers, including eight members of the Palestinian Red Crescent, six civil defense personnel, and one United Nations employee, were killed by Israeli troops near Rafah in southern Gaza.
Newly surfaced video footage, taken shortly before their deaths by one of the paramedics, Rifaat Radwan, contradicts the Israeli army's claims that their vehicles approached soldiers 'in a suspicious manner' without prior identification.
The video, which was recovered from Radwan's mobile phone alongside the bodies of the deceased, shows that the paramedics were wearing reflective vests, indicating their roles as emergency responders.
Israeli military statements initially claimed that the troops opened fire on vehicles that were moving 'without prior coordination, without lights or emergency signals.' Following the release of the video, a military spokesperson acknowledged that the initial statement was 'erroneous.'
This incident has raised significant concerns about the targeting of humanitarian workers in conflict zones, especially in Gaza, where the Israeli government continues to restrict foreign press access.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has described the site where the casualties were discovered as a 'mass grave.' As global scrutiny intensifies regarding the treatment of humanitarian staff during military operations, this event highlights ongoing issues surrounding civilian safety and the adherence to international humanitarian law in conflict settings.
Newly surfaced video footage, taken shortly before their deaths by one of the paramedics, Rifaat Radwan, contradicts the Israeli army's claims that their vehicles approached soldiers 'in a suspicious manner' without prior identification.
The video, which was recovered from Radwan's mobile phone alongside the bodies of the deceased, shows that the paramedics were wearing reflective vests, indicating their roles as emergency responders.
Israeli military statements initially claimed that the troops opened fire on vehicles that were moving 'without prior coordination, without lights or emergency signals.' Following the release of the video, a military spokesperson acknowledged that the initial statement was 'erroneous.'
This incident has raised significant concerns about the targeting of humanitarian workers in conflict zones, especially in Gaza, where the Israeli government continues to restrict foreign press access.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has described the site where the casualties were discovered as a 'mass grave.' As global scrutiny intensifies regarding the treatment of humanitarian staff during military operations, this event highlights ongoing issues surrounding civilian safety and the adherence to international humanitarian law in conflict settings.
