The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is calling for an independent international investigation into the killing of 15 medical and humanitarian workers by Israeli forces in Gaza. This tragic incident occurred on March 23 in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. The PRCS claims the attack represents a serious violation of international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime.
In a statement released on Monday, PRCS President Younis al-Khatib emphasized the need for accountability. He stated that an independent commission is essential to uncover the facts surrounding the attack and to hold those responsible accountable. The Israeli military has disputed the claims, asserting that their forces targeted "terrorists" in suspicious vehicles, but al-Khatib refuted this, insisting the ambulances were clearly marked and had their emergency lights on.
The attack began when Israeli forces opened fire on a convoy of ambulances responding to an earlier incident. According to the PRCS, the medics were under heavy gunfire for about five minutes, and communication with their dispatch center confirmed that shooting continued for over two hours. A survivor of the attack reported that he was used as a human shield by Israeli soldiers before escaping.
Al-Khatib called on the international community to protect aid workers and ensure the safety of medical facilities. He also urged Israel to reveal the whereabouts of PRCS staff who are still missing. The PRCS lost eight of its workers in the attack, along with six members of the Palestinian Civil Defence agency and one employee from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with various organizations and officials, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, expressing concern over potential war crimes. Since the resumption of conflict on March 18, the situation in Gaza has worsened, with reports indicating that at least 921 people have been killed, many of whom are women and children.
The PRCS highlighted that the area was not designated as a "red zone" at the time of the attack, meaning no prior coordination was necessary for emergency response. Following the incident, Israeli forces reportedly restricted access to the area, complicating recovery efforts for the deceased.
As the conflict continues, the heads of multiple UN agencies have called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The toll of the ongoing violence has been devastating, with over 50,000 lives lost since the start of the conflict, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.