New Video Evidence Contradicts Israeli Army's Claims in Killing of Palestinian Rescuers
A disturbing video discovered on the phone of one of the 15 Palestinian health workers and rescuers killed by the Israeli army at the end of March contradicts the Israeli authorities' narrative surrounding the incident. Released by The New York Times, the footage clearly depicts the convoy of vehicles—comprised of ambulances and a fire truck—as clearly marked rescue vehicles with their sirens activated, directly opposing the claims made by the Israeli army.
The video begins at the 00:12 mark, and it shows a convoy that the Israeli military stated was targeted due to the vehicles allegedly lacking headlights or emergency signals. The military further justified the attack by claiming members of Hamas were among the deceased, a narrative they have frequently used to rationalize operations resulting in civilian casualties. Military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani also alleged that the convoy was advancing in a suspicious manner.
The New York Times has verified both the location and timing of the video, confirming it was filmed in Rafah during the early hours of March 23, the same day the rescuers were killed. The footage was recorded by someone inside one of the vehicles documenting the humanitarian effort as five ambulances and a fire truck were en route to help those affected by a prior bombing by the Israeli military.
In the video, the convoy halts to assist another ambulance stationary at the roadside, providing aid to injured civilians. The vehicles are marked as ambulances, displaying the Palestinian Red Crescent emblem, which is equivalent to the Red Cross, and the rescuers are seen wearing medical uniforms adorned with reflective stripes.
As the video progresses, sounds of gunfire erupt from Israeli soldiers are heard in the background, prompting the footage to darken, yet the recording continues on for another five minutes. During this time, intermittent gunfire and commands in Hebrew punctuate the atmosphere, encapsulating the chaos occurring during this supposed humanitarian mission.
In related reports, journalist Farnaz Fassihi from The New York Times revealed discussions with a doctor in Gaza who conducted autopsies on the deceased rescuers, noting that bullets were found in their heads and torsos, suggesting they were shot at close range. The video captures the paramedics exiting their vehicles and interacting with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while still alive, only for them to tragically be discovered buried in a mass grave days later.
On March 31, the funerals for the slain paramedics took place in Deir al-Balah, an event underscored by international scrutiny. The president of the Palestinian Red Crescent, Younis Al-Khatib, announced that the video evidence has been submitted to the United Nations Security Council, the primary international body responsible for enforcing global law among its member countries.
Furthermore, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for a formal investigation into the killings of the 15 rescuers, indicating that these actions could potentially constitute a war crime. As the international community watches closely, the implications of this incident and the broader conflict continue to resonate within both humanitarian and geopolitical spheres.
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