‘Operational misunderstanding’ led to killing of Gaza medics, IDF inquiry says

The Israeli military has said an “operational misunderstanding” led to the killing of 14 emergency workers in southern Gaza last month.

An inquiry into the incident by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) found a series of failings. It said the killing of a UN worker shortly afterwards was “a breach of orders during a combat setting”.

It added that the deputy commander of the unit involved has been dismissed “for providing an incomplete and inaccurate report during the debrief”.

Fourteen emergency workers and a UN worker were killed when a convoy of Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances, a UN car and a fire truck from Gaza’s Civil Defence came under fire near Rafah on 23 March.

In a statement, the IDF said its troops opened fire believing they were facing a threat from enemy forces.

Israel originally claimed troops opened fire because the convoy approached “suspiciously” in darkness without headlights or flashing lights. It said movement of the vehicles had not been previously co-ordinated or agreed with the army.

But a video which emerged later showed the vehicles with their lights on and their emergency signals flashing.

The IDF said its investigation found six of the casualties were Hamas members, and rejected there had been summary executions.

It did not produce evidence for any affiliation to Hamas, even though the names of those who died are all in the public domain.