The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has strongly condemned the tragic killing of eight paramedics in Rafah, southern Gaza, during an attack on March 23. This assault on the emergency workers has sparked global outrage. The paramedics, part of a nine-person ambulance team, were conducting vital work in the al-Hashashin neighborhood when they came under heavy fire.
Ambulance Team Targeted in Gaza
The ambulance team was operating in clearly marked vehicles and wearing visible protective emblems to identify them as humanitarian workers. Despite these clear markings, they were attacked while on their mission. The shooting occurred in the midst of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
After the attack, the armed forces blocked access to the area where the paramedics had been last seen, and for seven days, no rescue teams were able to reach the site. Finally, on Sunday, rescue teams were able to recover the bodies of the eight emergency workers. One paramedic, Assad Al-Nassasra, remains missing and is presumed dead.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that alongside the medics, six civil defense workers and one United Nations employee were also killed in the attack. However, no one has officially claimed responsibility for the assault, though Hamas has blamed the Israeli military.
Names of the Deceased
The IFRC has released the names of the deceased medics. They include:
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Mostafa Khufaga
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Saleh Muamer
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Ezzedine Shaath
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Mohammad Bahloul
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Mohammed al-Heila
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Ashraf Abu Labda
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Raed al-Sharif
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Rifatt Radwan
The body of Assad Al-Nassasra remains missing.
Condemnation from the IFRC
IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of these brave aid workers. He emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian personnel and civilians under international humanitarian law. Chapagain called for strict adherence to the rules of warfare, even in the most intense conflict zones like Gaza.
“They saved lives – they deserved protection,” Chapagain said.
Despite the strong statement from the IFRC, the Israeli military has not publicly responded to the criticism. However, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that Israeli forces admitted to firing on ambulances in southern Gaza on the same day as the attack.
Military’s Explanation: Targeting “Suspicious Vehicles”
The Israeli military has offered an explanation for the incident. According to their statement, soldiers were targeting Hamas fighters in vehicles. When additional vehicles approached, they were also fired upon. Initially, the military believed these vehicles were associated with Hamas militants. However, a later review showed that some of the vehicles hit in the attack were ambulances and fire trucks.
The Israeli military also accused armed groups in Gaza of misusing emergency vehicles for militant purposes. This accusation has sparked criticism, especially from Hamas. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim condemned the attack, labeling it a war crime and a direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.
The Situation in Gaza: A Growing Crisis
The escalation of violence in Gaza has led to a collapse of ceasefire agreements. On March 18, Israel resumed military operations after the failure of a temporary truce. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 900 people have died in airstrikes since the ceasefire collapsed.
This military action follows the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people. That attack also resulted in the abduction of 251 people, who were taken to Gaza as hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a military campaign that, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, has led to the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians.
International Reactions and Continued Violence
The attack on the ambulance team has raised serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. International organizations and governments have condemned the loss of life. However, the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, with no clear resolution in sight. Both sides accuse each other of violating international laws and escalating violence.
The killing of eight medics in Gaza highlights the danger faced by humanitarian workers who are caught in the crossfire of ongoing conflict. The attack is also a reminder of the larger humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen a high number of casualties and ongoing suffering for civilians.
As tensions continue to rise, the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution grows more urgent. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence, urging both parties to respect humanitarian laws and protect civilian lives.