‘Professional Failures’ Led To Killing Of Gaza Medics, Says Israeli Military (image:@PalestineRCS/twitter)
Jerusalem: The Israeli military on Sunday said ‘professional failures’ led to the killing of 15 paramedics in Gaza last month. The report released by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also stated that a commander will be dismissed over the incident.
The group of emergency aid workers including members of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and a UN worker were shot dead after their vehicles came under fire on March 23 near Rafah. The incident sparked international condemnation after their bodies were found in a mass grave a week later.
The IDF said that there were several professional failures including operational misunderstanding and breach of orders as well as failure to fully report the incident. The deputy commander of the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion involved in the incident was dismissed from his position for his responsibility of the incident and providing incomplete and inaccurate reports, IDF said in the statement.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its code of ethics is not violated and justifies the commander who ordered the shooting saying he acted reasonably. The IDF said that the troops didn’t engage in indiscriminate attack but they shot when they faced a tangible threat while the vehicles approached them in a dangerous combat zone.
As per Israeli military reports, the troops fired on three occasions; the vehicle in the first incident belonged to Hamas wherein two Palestinians were killed and one temporarily detained.
On the second shooting where 12 PRCS members were killed, Israel had earlier claimed that the PRCS ambulances were driven suspiciously without headlights. But video footage from a mobile phone of a killed medic clearly showed vehicles with their lights and emergency signals. Despite the release of the video, the IDF investigation still claimed it was difficult to identify the ambulances due to poor night visibility.
In the meantime, PRCS has rejected the reports of the Israel’s military. The president of the aid group told the media that there were a lot of contradictions in Israel’s investigation. He also demanded an independent investigation by the UN.
