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An Israeli military inquiry into the deaths of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza revealed significant “professional failures” within its ranks. As a result, a deputy commander has been recommended for dismissal.
Initially, Israeli forces claimed the medics’ vehicles lacked emergency signals when they came under fire. However, this assertion was soon contradicted by cellphone footage recovered from one of the medics, casting doubt on the military’s original narrative.
The investigation uncovered that the deputy battalion commander misjudged the situation under poor visibility conditions and presumed the ambulances belonged to Hamas militants. Video evidence showed that the ambulances had their emergency lights flashing and identifying logos visible as they arrived to assist another ambulance that had previously been attacked. The medics did not exhibit any threatening behavior; three of them emerged from the vehicle and approached the scene. What followed was a sustained volley of gunfire lasting more than five minutes.
Bodies Buried in a Mass Grave
The tragic incident occurred in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah during the early hours of March 23, resulting in the deaths of eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil Defense workers, and a United Nations staff member. Following the attack, Israeli troops bulldozed the bodies and vehicles into a mass grave, preventing U.N. and rescue teams from reaching the location until a week later.
The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that the medics were “targeted at close range.” However, the Israeli military’s investigation concluded there was no evidence supporting allegations of execution or that the deceased were bound prior to or after the shooting, attributing the deaths to an “operational misunderstanding” among Israeli forces. Additionally, a separate incident, occurring shortly thereafter, involved Israeli soldiers firing upon a U.N. vehicle, which was deemed a violation of military orders.
According to the military’s findings, the deputy commander who initiated the firing was responsible for inciting the subsequent gunfire from other soldiers.
The investigation determined that six of those killed had ties to Hamas while identifying others inaccurately as militants. Initially, the Israeli military had estimated that nine of the deceased were Hamas members. The Civil Defense, impacted by these events, is part of the Hamas authority.
Israeli Claims Against Hamas
While acknowledging that the decision to bury the ambulances was misguided, the investigation claimed there was no attempt to obscure the incident. Maj. Gen Yoav Har-Even, overseeing the investigation, indicated that military personnel removed the bodies and vehicles to clear the route for future military operations.
Har-Even stated that the military informed international organizations about the incident on the same day and provided assistance in recovering the bodies. In its concluding remarks, the Israeli military expressed regret for the civilian casualties resulting from the incident. Meanwhile, the lone survivor of the attack is currently in custody for further questioning.
The investigation’s outcomes were submitted to the Military Advocate General (MAG), which has the discretion to initiate legal proceedings. Notably, the MAG operates independently, with oversight from both the attorney general and the Supreme Court of Israel. As of now, no external investigations into the killings are being conducted.
Israel has consistently accused Hamas of using ambulances and emergency vehicles to shield and transport its fighters, asserting this justifies military actions against them. Medical personnel largely contest these claims.
Concerns Over War Crimes Accusations
The conflict has taken a grave toll, with over 150 emergency responders from the Red Crescent and Civil Defense reported killed, mostly while performing their duties. In total, more than 1,000 health workers have lost their lives since hostilities began, as per U.N. data. The Israeli military has faced scrutiny for rarely investigating such incidents.
Har-Even noted that the military is investigating 421 separate incidents related to the conflict, of which 51 have been concluded and referred to the MAG. Specific figures regarding potential wrongful deaths or instances where charges have been pursued remain unclear.
The International Criminal Court has accused Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, of war crimes. Israel, which is not a signatory to the court, maintains that its legal system is well-equipped to handle military investigations, labeling allegations from the ICC as politically motivated.
The ongoing violence in Gaza was ignited by an attack from Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, mostly among civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Although many hostages have since been freed through ceasefire negotiations or other arrangements, Hamas is believed to still hold 59 hostages, 24 of whom are reported alive.
The impact of the conflict has seen over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The devastation has led to the destruction of substantial parts of Gaza, significantly impairing agricultural production. Nearly 90 percent of the population has been displaced, with many finding shelter in makeshift camps and ruined buildings.
Public sentiment on both sides has shown signs of frustration, with rare protests against Hamas emerging in Gaza, juxtaposed by ongoing rallies in Israel urging the government to secure the return of all hostages.
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globalnews.ca