The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has strongly condemned the deaths of eight paramedics in Rafah, Gaza. The medical team was traveling in clearly marked ambulances when they came under heavy fire in the al-Hashashin neighborhood on March 23.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that the paramedics wore visible protective emblems at the time of the attack. Despite their status as emergency responders, they were unable to escape the deadly strike.
Bodies Recovered After Days of Silence
For a full week, access to the area was completely blocked, delaying any rescue or recovery efforts. When workers were finally able to reach the site on Sunday, they found the bodies of the eight paramedics. One member of the team remains missing.
The PRCS also confirmed that six civil defense workers and a United Nations employee were killed in the same attack. The organization did not explicitly name the attacker, but Hamas has accused the Israeli military of targeting the paramedics.
The IFRC identified the paramedics who lost their lives: Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer, Ezzedine Shaath, Mohammad Bahloul, and Mohammed al-Heila. Also among the dead were Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed al-Sharif, and Rifatt Radwan. Paramedic Assad Al-Nassasra has not yet been found.
Humanitarian Workers Should Be Protected, Says IFRC
IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed his devastation over the deaths, emphasizing that humanitarian personnel are protected under international law—even in active war zones.
“These paramedics were saving lives. They should have been protected, not targeted,” he said. He called for full respect for international humanitarian law and demanded that emergency workers be allowed to operate safely.
The Israeli military has not publicly responded to the IFRC’s statement. However, the French news agency AFP reported that Israeli forces admitted to opening fire on ambulances last Sunday.
Israel Justifies the Attack, Citing “Suspicious Vehicles”
According to the Israeli military, troops initially targeted vehicles transporting Hamas fighters and killed several militants. The army said additional vehicles approached the area and were also fired upon. A later review revealed that some of the targeted vehicles were ambulances and fire trucks.
The military has accused Hamas and other Gaza-based groups of using ambulances for combat operations. The claim has been widely disputed, with humanitarian groups insisting that emergency vehicles must be protected at all times.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim condemned the attack as a war crime and a violation of the Geneva Conventions.
Gaza Death Toll Rises as Conflict Continues
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Israel resumed its military offensive on March 18 after a temporary ceasefire collapsed. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry has reported that over 900 people have died in Israeli airstrikes.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel. Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage. In response, Israel began its military campaign, which has now lasted for months. Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive began.
As the conflict continues, humanitarian organizations warn that the protection of medical workers must remain a priority. The IFRC has urged all parties to respect international laws designed to protect civilians and emergency personnel.