Israeli military Inquiry Faults Commander in Deaths of Palestinian Medics, Despite Accusations of Whitewashing
JERUSALEM – A recent Israeli military investigation into the deaths of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza last month has concluded with findings of “professional failures” and the impending dismissal of a deputy commander. The incident, which occurred on March 23 in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah, has drawn international condemnation and fueled ongoing debates about the rules of engagement during conflict.
initially, Israeli officials asserted that the emergency vehicles lacked proper signaling when troops opened fire. however, this account was later retracted following the discovery of cellphone video footage from one of the medics, contradicting the initial claims.
The military investigation revealed that the deputy battalion commander, operating under conditions of “poor night visibility,” mistakenly assessed the ambulances as belonging too Hamas militants. The investigation noted, “Video footage obtained from the incident shows the ambulances had lights flashing and logos visible as they pulled up to help another ambulance that came under fire earlier. The teams do not appear to be acting unusually or in a threatening manner as three medics emerge and head toward it.” The medics’ vehicles “immediately come under a barrage of gunfire that goes on for more than five minutes with brief pauses,” according to the investigation.
The incident resulted in the deaths of eight Red Crescent personnel, six Civil defense workers, and a U.N.staffer. Reports indicate the bodies and mangled vehicles were bulldozed and buried in a mass grave.
Concerns of Impunity and Calls for Autonomous Investigation
While the Israeli military investigation aims to provide accountability, questions remain about the thoroughness and impartiality of such internal reviews. Critics point to a history of what they describe as inadequate investigations and a tendency to whitewash misconduct allegations.”The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has said the men were ‘targeted at close range.'” However, “the Israeli military investigation said the examination found ‘no evidence to support claims of execution or that any of the deceased were bound before or after the shooting.'” The report stated the Palestinians were killed due to an “operational misunderstanding” by Israeli forces.
According to the investigation, “a separate incident 15 minutes later, when Israeli soldiers shot at a Palestinian U.N. vehicle, was a breach of orders.”
The Investigation’s Findings
Key findings of the investigation include:
The deputy commander who will be dismissed was the first to open fire.
Six of those killed were identified as Hamas members (although the investigation said some of the others were originally misidentified as Hamas).
The decision to crush the ambulances was deemed wrong.
no attempt was made to conceal the event.
Maj.Gen. Yoav Har-Even, in charge of the military’s investigative branch, said, “the bodies and vehicles were removed from the road as the military wanted to use it for an evacuation route later that day.” He added that the