**Israeli Military Inquiry Finds “Professional Failures” Led to Killing of Gaza Medics**
The Israeli military has concluded that a series of mistakes, or “professional failures”, led to the killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza last month. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inquiry found that there was an “operational misunderstanding” and a “breach of orders” among troops involved.
According to the report, the deputy commander of the unit responsible for the incident has been dismissed for providing an incomplete and inaccurate account of what happened during the debriefing. This decision is part of the IDF’s efforts to hold accountable those who failed in their duties.
**Criticism from Palestinian Red Crescent Society**
However, a spokeswoman for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has disputed the findings of the IDF inquiry, calling it “invalid” and claiming that it shifts responsibility onto an individual error rather than acknowledging the true circumstances. The PRCS and other international aid organizations have expressed outrage at the killing of Gaza medics by Israeli forces.
**Background to the Incident**
On March 23, 14 emergency workers, including a UN worker, were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The IDF initially claimed that troops opened fire because they believed there was a threat from enemy forces. However, an on-the-record briefing with Major-General Yoav HarEven, who investigated the incident, revealed that six of those killed were allegedly Hamas members, although this claim has not been confirmed.
**Controversy Over Investigation**
A UN official in Gaza has criticized the IDF investigation for being too narrow and failing to hold accountable those responsible. Jonathan Whittall pointed out that without proper accountability, international laws are undermined, making the world a more dangerous place. He emphasized the importance of thorough investigations in upholding norms designed to protect all individuals.
**New Information Emerge**
Recent footage has shown several other vehicles passing by between the first and second Israeli attack without being shot at. This evidence suggests that Israeli troops may have opened fire on ambulances unless they felt threatened. However, an initial claim from Israel that the convoy approached in darkness “suspiciously” without headlights or blinking lights was later retracted after a mobile phone video of a medic killed showed the vehicles with lights on and emergency signals flashing.
**Aftermath**
The incident occurred during a recent two-month ceasefire when tens of thousands of people returned to their homes in Gaza. The bodies of the medics were not discovered until a week later due to difficulties arranging safe passage for international agencies.
As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, these latest developments underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency in investigations into incidents involving civilian casualties.
