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Survivor’s Account of Deadly Attack on Paramedics in Gaza
Paramedic Munther Abed recounts a harrowing incident that left 15 emergency responders dead, an event that has sparked significant outrage and calls for accountability. He survived the attack on March 23 by taking cover in the back of his ambulance while his colleagues in the front seat were fatally shot.
Describing the tragic day, Munther reflected, “I’m the only survivor who witnessed what happened to my colleagues.” As he scrolls through photos of the fallen paramedics on his phone, the weight of loss is evident. He details how a response team from the Palestinian Red Crescent, along with Gaza’s Civil Defence agency and the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa), mobilized following reports of gunfire and injured civilians in the southern city of Rafah.
The team left their headquarters at dawn. Munther states that by 04:30, all Civil Defence vehicles had been deployed. However, around 05:00, an Unrwa vehicle was shot at in the street, marking the onset of a deadly escalation. The Israeli military later justified their actions, claiming the emergency vehicles advanced suspiciously and posed a potential threat to their soldiers.
Munther firmly contests these claims, asserting, “All lights were on until the vehicle came under direct fire. It’s clear when an ambulance is approaching.” Following the attack, he was removed from the wreckage by Israeli soldiers, detained, and interrogated for over 15 hours before his release.
The BBC has sought a response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding Munther’s allegations, which remain unaddressed. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reiterated at a news conference that, according to initial assessments, the attack was justified due to the perceived threat posed by what they labeled as uncoordinated vehicles.
However, one name claimed to be linked to the ongoing tensions—Hamas operative Mohammed Amin Ibrahim Shubaki—was not among the deceased emergency workers. The majority of the 15 who died included eight medics from the Palestinian Red Crescent, six Civil Defence first responders, and one Unrwa staff member. There has been no clarification from Israeli authorities regarding the absence of Shubaki’s body or evidence supporting the necessity of the attack on the emergency team.
Munther refutes the notion that Hamas might have exploited ambulances for cover, insisting, “That’s utterly untrue. All personnel are civilians. Our primary mission is to provide medical assistance and save lives—nothing more, nothing less.”
The emotional toll of the incident is profound, with Gaza’s paramedics shouldering the heartbreaking responsibility of carrying their slain colleagues to their funerals. A grieving father of one paramedic expressed anger, stating his son was killed “in cold blood.” International agencies faced delays accessing the site, and a week after the attack, the bodies were discovered buried in sand beside their vehicles.
Sam Rose, acting director of Unrwa’s Gaza office, condemned the treatment of the deceased, calling it an affront to human dignity and potentially a violation of international humanitarian law. He emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind this tragedy.
Despite mounting international concern, Israel has not committed to any investigation regarding the events of March 23. The UN reports that over 1,060 healthcare workers have lost their lives since the onset of the conflict, contributing to a climate of fear among paramedics and humanitarian workers in the region.
As the chaos unfolds, Munther remains the lone voice among those who endured the attack, vowing to reveal the truth of what transpired that day. “I will expose the crimes committed by the occupation against my colleagues,” he declares. For him, the fallen were not only colleagues but close friends, and he recalls, “We used to share meals, laughter, and joy… I consider them my second family.” The pain of their loss propels him forward in seeking justice and remembrance for those who can no longer tell their own stories.
Source
www.bbc.com