Fifteen Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, including a United Nations (UN) employee, were allegedly killed by Israeli forces “one by one” in southern Gaza, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA). The victims, who were on a mission to rescue injured colleagues, were reportedly buried in a mass grave.
Rescue Mission Turns Tragic
On March 23, 2025, paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) and civil defense attempted to retrieve injured colleagues after earlier Israeli gunfire. However, their clearly marked ambulances came under heavy fire in Rafah city’s Tel al-Sultan district.
“One by one, they were struck,” said Jonathan Whittall, head of OCHA in Palestine. “We’re digging them out in their uniforms, with their gloves on. They came to save lives and ended up in a mass grave.”
Among the dead was a UN aid worker. According to the Red Crescent, at least one of the paramedics was found with his hands tied, raising serious concerns about possible executions.
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Israel’s Response and Contradictions
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim that the vehicles were moving “suspiciously” without headlights or emergency signals and were not pre-approved for movement in the area. However, the Red Crescent disputes this, stating that the Tel al-Sultan district was considered safe.
Despite international outcry, the IDF did not respond to reports that the bodies of the paramedics were buried in a mass grave. The Israeli military previously claimed to have killed nine Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants on the same day but did not specify whether these individuals were in the ambulances.
Shocking Testimonies from Survivors
Dr. Bashar Murad, Red Crescent’s director of health programs, shared chilling details of the attack:
“One of our paramedics was on the phone with colleagues when he was shot. We heard soldiers speaking Hebrew, saying: ‘Gather them at the wall and bring some restraints to tie them.’”
According to the Red Crescent, the IDF delayed recovery efforts for several days. When the bodies were finally retrieved, some showed signs of decomposition.
A Pattern of Targeting Healthcare Workers
This incident marks the deadliest attack on Red Cross or Red Crescent workers since 2017, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“I am heartbroken. These dedicated ambulance workers were responding to wounded people,” said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain. “They were humanitarians. Their ambulances were clearly marked.”
Since October 7, 2023, at least 1,060 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza, according to UN data. The ongoing violence has prompted the UN to reduce its international staff presence in the region for safety reasons.
Global Outrage and Calls for Accountability
International organizations and humanitarian groups are demanding a full investigation into the targeting of healthcare workers. The UN and Red Crescent insist that healthcare professionals should never be targets in conflicts.
“It’s absolute horror what has happened here,” said Whittall. “This should never happen.”
With tensions escalating, concerns grow over the safety of medical personnel and civilians in Gaza as the conflict continues.
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