Red Crescent Demands International Probe After Autopsies Reveal 'Intent to Kill' in Gaza Medic Shootings

GAZA/RAMALLAH, April 8, 2025 — Autopsies conducted on 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency responders slain by Israeli forces in Rafah, Gaza, have revealed gunshot wounds to the upper body, indicating a clear "intent to kill," according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The organisation is now calling for an impartial international investigation into what it describes as a deliberate and targeted attack.

The incident occurred on March 23, amid a renewed Israeli military offensive in the southern Gaza Strip. According to video evidence recovered from the victims’ mobile phones, the emergency convoy — composed of Red Crescent and civil defence vehicles — was clearly marked with headlights, sirens, and flashing red lights. Personnel wore high-visibility vests when the vehicles came under a barrage of gunfire in Tel al-Sultan, a densely populated district in Rafah.

Footage released by the PRCS shows the moments before the deadly strike, contradicting earlier Israeli military claims that the vehicles were operating without lights and had not been cleared to move. The bodies of the 15 victims — eight Red Crescent workers, six Gaza civil defence members, and one UNRWA employee — were discovered buried near the site, forming what the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has described as a "mass grave."

Following international backlash, including strong words from Germany, one of Israel’s key allies in the European Union, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have amended their narrative. Initially stating they had targeted "suspicious vehicles" carrying "terrorists," the IDF later admitted the initial account was "mistaken." A new statement issued Sunday claimed six of the victims were linked to Hamas, though no supporting evidence has been presented to date. None of the slain medics were reportedly armed.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief, has now ordered a more detailed investigation into the incident.

Younis al-Khatib, President of the Red Crescent in the West Bank, addressed reporters in Ramallah with a solemn statement:

“All the martyrs were shot in the upper part of their bodies, with the intent to kill. We cannot disclose everything we know, but this was a deliberate act.”
He further demanded the creation of an independent and impartial international commission of inquiry, accusing Israeli forces of attempting to cover up the crime:
“Why did you hide the bodies?” he asked. “It is no longer enough to speak of international law. The world must act to hold those responsible accountable.”

The tragedy adds to a mounting toll on humanitarian workers in Gaza. Over the last 18 months, hundreds of aid personnel, including doctors, NGO workers, and UN staff, have lost their lives in Israeli strikes. Just last week, six members of World Central Kitchen — including British national James Kirby — were killed when their clearly marked convoy was bombed by Israeli drones.

In a separate incident Monday, Israel reportedly struck a media tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing journalist Helmi al-Faqawi and civilian Yousef al-Khazandar. Several other journalists were injured in the attack, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence.

Human rights organisations have long warned of what they describe as a culture of impunity within the Israeli military, noting that very few soldiers are ever held accountable for actions that result in civilian deaths — even when clear violations of international law are alleged.

The United Nations and international humanitarian organisations are now under increasing pressure to respond decisively as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.