"Video Shows Aid Workers Killed in Gaza Under Gunfire Barrage, With Ambulance Lights On" Key Points. NYTimes
Development:
"Israel Says Its Account of Rescue Workers Killed in Gaza Was Partly ‘Mistaken’
The Israeli military had previously asserted that the workers had been “advancing suspiciously” toward its troops. A video obtained by The New York Times on Friday appeared to contradict that account."
NYTimes.
Main Points & Details
1. Video Evidence Contradicts Israeli Claims
- Video from a paramedic's cellphone shows ambulances and fire truck were marked and had emergency lights on.
- Contradicts Israeli military statement that vehicles were "advancing suspiciously" without headlights or signals.
- Video shows convoy moving in early morning with headlights and flashing lights active.
2. Scene and Circumstances of the Attack
- Convoy stopped to assist an earlier ambulance under attack.
- Video shows aid workers in uniform exiting vehicles to help.
- Intense gunfire erupts, captured on video and audio for nearly 7 minutes.
- Paramedic recording the video recites the "shahada," aware of imminent death.
- Hebrew commands and voices of distressed aid workers are heard in the background.
3. Aftermath: Mass Grave and Destroyed Vehicles
- Paramedic who filmed the incident was found with a bullet wound to the head in a mass grave.
- Mass grave contained 15 bodies and crushed ambulances, including one with a U.N. logo.
- Satellite images showed vehicles were first moved and later buried with Israeli bulldozers visible at the scene.
4. Response from Palestine Red Crescent Society
- Spokeswoman and leadership confirmed the aid workers posed no threat and were unarmed.
- President Dr. Younis Al-Khatib accused Israel of knowing the location of the workers but keeping it hidden.
- Bodies showed signs of close-range targeting; forensic exams found multiple gunshot wounds.
- One paramedic who survived and was detained by Israel confirmed the attack on ambulances.
5. International Reaction & Calls for Investigation
- Incident called an "outrage" by Red Cross and Red Crescent representative to the U.N.
- Marked as the deadliest attack on Red Cross/Red Crescent workers since 2017.
- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights demanded an independent investigation, raising concerns about potential war crimes.
- Incident has sparked global condemnation and scrutiny of Israel's military actions.
6. Unresolved Issues
- One member of the Palestinian Red Crescent is still missing.
- Israel has not clarified if the missing person is detained or dead.
- Israel did not immediately respond to the video evidence shared by The New York Times.
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