The paramedics and emergency responders killed during an Israeli assault in Gaza on March 23 have been confirmed to have died primarily from gunshot wounds to the head and chest, as detailed in the autopsy reports acquired by The New York Times. These fatalities primarily involved rescue workers associated with the Palestine Red Crescent Society and local Civil Defense units.
The incident, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, follows witness accounts and recorded audio indicating that Israeli forces targeted ambulances and fire trucks involved in rescue operations. Following the attack, Israel publicly acknowledged its military's involvement but suggested, without proffered evidence, that some of the deceased were linked to Hamas, a claim that has been met with skepticism and international condemnation.
The bodies of the victims were reportedly interred in a mass grave by Israeli soldiers, who also destroyed the ambulances, fire truck, and a U.N. vehicle. The attack has drawn grave allegations of war crimes from various humanitarian experts and organizations.
The forensic examinations were conducted from April 1 to April 5, after aid workers retrieved the bodies from the conflict zone. The autopsies were led by Dr. Ahmad Dhair, who heads the forensic medicine division within the Gazan health ministry. Dr. Arne Stray-Pedersen, a pathologist from Oslo University Hospital in Norway, provided an independent analysis of the autopsy findings, further substantiating the cause and manner of death among the victims.
As the global community processes this disheartening event, calls for accountability and investigations into the Israeli military's actions are intensifying, reflecting deepening concerns over the treatment of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. The tragic fate of these medics underscores the ongoing volatility and humanitarian crises in the region, raising vital questions about the responsibilities of nations engaged in armed conflict.
