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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has strongly condemned the killing of eight medics in Gaza after their ambulance convoy was attacked while on a humanitarian mission. The attack, which occurred on March 23 in the al-Hashashin area of southern Gaza, left the team under heavy fire, despite their clear identification as medical workers.

The ambulance team, comprised of nine members, was clearly operating marked vehicles and wearing visible protective emblems to identify themselves as medics. However, despite these precautions, the medics were targeted, and eight were killed. One team member remains missing.

Bodies Recovered After Week-Long Blocked Access

For nearly an entire week, armed forces blocked access to the site of the attack, preventing emergency crews from recovering the bodies of the slain medics. The bodies were finally retrieved on Sunday, following days of silence and delayed access to the area. The rescue mission uncovered not only the eight medics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), but also the bodies of six other individuals, including members of Gaza’s civil defense agency and one UN employee.

The PRCS did not publicly specify who was responsible for the attack, but Hamas has accused Israeli forces of opening fire on the convoy.

The eight medics who were killed have been identified by the IFRC as Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer, Ezzedine Shaath, Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed al-Sharif, and Rifatt Radwan. One team member, Assad Al-Nassasra, remains missing.

IFRC Calls for Protection of Aid Workers

Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary General of the IFRC, expressed heartbreak over the loss of the medics and strongly condemned the attack. He reminded the international community that even in conflict zones, international humanitarian law requires the protection of civilians and aid workers. Chapagain emphasized that the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions, must be upheld, and he called for full respect of the laws protecting medical missions in conflict areas.

“Their sole purpose was to save lives, and they should have been protected,” Chapagain said. “This attack is not only an assault on aid workers but on the very principles of humanity.”

The Israeli military has not publicly responded to the IFRC’s statement. However, AFP reported that the military acknowledged firing on vehicles in southern Gaza, including ambulances, during the incident.

Israeli Military Responds: Claims Ambulances Were ‘Suspicious Vehicles’

The Israeli military has defended the attack, claiming that the vehicles fired upon were “suspicious” and linked to Hamas. In a statement, the military said that it had targeted Hamas fighters traveling in vehicles and had successfully eliminated several of them. The military further explained that, after the initial strike, additional vehicles approached the area, prompting another round of fire.

An investigation into the attack revealed that some of the vehicles involved in the strike included ambulances and fire trucks. Israeli authorities have argued that militant groups in Gaza have repeatedly used emergency vehicles for military operations, complicating the identification of targets.

The military’s position has drawn sharp criticism. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim condemned the attack as a violation of international law. “This is a war crime,” Naim said. “The Geneva Conventions prohibit the targeting of medical workers and humanitarian aid. Israel’s actions are an affront to humanity.”

Renewed Conflict and Escalating Death Toll

The attack on the Red Crescent medics comes amid a broader escalation in Gaza. The violence erupted after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign, which has led to devastating losses on both sides.

Since the collapse of a temporary ceasefire agreement on March 18, Israeli airstrikes have continued to target Gaza, resulting in more than 900 reported deaths. Gaza’s health ministry continues to report heavy casualties, with the total death toll for Palestinians rising above 50,000, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The renewed conflict has brought further suffering to a region already grappling with humanitarian crises. The latest attack on the medical team has only deepened the sense of outrage and concern among humanitarian organizations, which have repeatedly called for a cessation of violence and greater protection for civilians and aid workers.

Calls for Accountability and Action

The tragic deaths of the Red Crescent medics have prompted calls for accountability. Human rights organizations have urged the international community to hold those responsible for the attack accountable. Many have called on the United Nations and other international bodies to take a stronger stance on protecting humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the IFRC’s condemnation underscores the need for greater respect for international law and the protection of medical workers who risk their lives to save others in the most dangerous conditions.

In the face of ongoing violence, the IFRC and other humanitarian organizations are pleading for all parties involved in the conflict to ensure that medical missions are respected and protected, as required under international law.

The Road Ahead: A Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza shows no signs of abating. The people of Gaza continue to endure intense suffering, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire. With the death toll rising daily, the international community faces an urgent challenge to address the ongoing violence, prevent further attacks on medical personnel, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in desperate need.