The United Nations condemned Monday the killing of eight Palestinian paramedics, five civil defense first responders, and a UN staff member by Israeli forces in Rafah, southern Gaza. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher demanded “justice and answers,” calling the attack an unacceptable violation of international law.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reportedly recovered the bodies a week after the attack, which occurred on March 23 as the medics headed to assist wounded civilians in the al-Hashashin area. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed deep sorrow, stating that the victims “were risking their own lives to provide support to others.” PRCS condemned the attack as a “premeditated crime” urging the international community to take action against Israel’s “grave violations.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed its troops fired on vehicles advancing “suspiciously” without headlights or emergency signals. The IDF said a Hamas operative and “eight other terrorists” were among those killed but later acknowledged that ambulances and fire trucks were among the vehicles struck. The military has not commented on the whereabouts of a missing PRCS medic.
The attack followed the collapse of a ceasefire on March 18, after which Israel launched a major offensive, killing over 1,000 people and injuring more than 2,000. As Israel resumes its offensive following the ceasefire’s collapse, humanitarian aid remains severely restricted, and civilian casualties continue to rise. The latest escalation underscores the ongoing devastation in Gaza, with no clear resolution in sight.
Israel faces mounting legal scrutiny. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. The country is also facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice.
Since October 2023, at least 399 aid workers have been killed, including 289 UN staff, 34 Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) members, and at least 76 NGO workers. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) alone has lost 284 employees, including teachers, doctors, and nurses. More than 50,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, with over 114,000 injured, as the Palestinian health ministry reported.