RAMALLAH, April 7, 2025 (WAFA) – The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces' targeting of an ambulance convoy in the Hashashin area of Rafah on March 23 constitutes a "full-fledged war crime" and reflects a dangerous pattern of repeated violations of international humanitarian law.
During a press conference held Monday to discuss the latest developments regarding the deaths of the eight paramedics in Rafah, the PRCS, through its president, Younis al-Khatib, demanded the immediate identification of paramedic Asaad al-Nasasira, whose fate remains unknown.
Footage in the video, documented by fellow paramedic Rifaat Radwan, shows the crew's final moments as they headed to the site of the attack in clearly marked ambulances with their emergency lights on.
Despite the clear identities of the vehicles and crews, the convoy was subjected to a hail of bullets for nearly five minutes, as shown in the published video. Calls between the team and the central communications center revealed that the gunfire continued for at least two hours, with continuous gunfire heard until contact with a member of the crew was completely cut off.
The association confirmed in a statement that what happened was not a random attack or an individual mistake, but rather a series of deliberate attacks, beginning with the firing of an ambulance on its way to evacuate people injured after a house was bombed in the Hashashin area.
This was followed by the direct targeting of the association's and Civil Defense ambulance convoy, despite its adherence to all safety protocols. Then, a fourth ambulance was fired upon, en route to support the team.
"For nearly five days, the occupation prevented the rescue team from entering the site to search for the missing crew, claiming the area was red zone. They then allowed entry for a short period during which we were able to retrieve the body of a Civil Defense member."
On March 30, the bodies of 14 paramedics, Civil Defense personnel, and UNRWA employees were found piled in a black mesh bag in a mass grave, in a brutal and degrading manner."
The Society stated that targeting ambulance crews bearing the Red Crescent emblem, which is protected under the Geneva Conventions, constitutes a war crime.
The Society called for an independent international investigation and accountability for all those involved. It urged the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations and take practical measures to hold Israel accountable for these crimes.
The Red Crescent Society emphasized that international silence on the targeting of humanitarian personnel not only amounts to a death sentence for Palestinians in Gaza, but also represents a direct threat to humanitarian work everywhere.
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