An Israeli military investigation has blamed “professional failures” and operational errors for the killing of 15 paramedics and first responders in a convoy attack in Gaza last March.
The probe found that soldiers had made faulty assumptions about the identity of the vehicles, which led to the incident. However, the commander who ordered the troops to open fire said he acted reasonably and in accordance with IDF rules of engagement.
The investigation’s findings have been sent to the Israeli military’s advocate general, who will determine whether to file charges against the soldiers involved. The IDF has defended the decision-making behind the attack, but acknowledged that crushing the ambulances was wrong.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has condemned the Israeli probe as containing “contradictions” and said that the incident constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law. The organization’s president, Younis Al-Khatib, criticized the IDF’s initial claims about the convoy, saying they were proven false by cell phone video footage showing the vehicles driving in a single-file line with headlights on.
The investigation has led to disciplinary action against several soldiers involved in the incident, including a deputy commander who was dismissed from his position. The general overseeing the investigation said that he did not recommend any further charges be brought against the soldiers.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/20/middleeast/israeli-military-professional-failures-gaza-medics-intl/index.html