Israeli forces have resumed their military campaign against the Gaza Strip with increased ferocity, placing civilians at risk of harm. For first responders like Saleh Moamer and Mohammad Bahloul, who were killed while attempting to save others, the risks are multiplied.
Saleh, a 45-year-old Red Crescent ambulance officer, had previously come close to death twice during Israeli military operations. He was shot in both the chest and shoulder, but survived due to his own quick thinking and medical training. Despite this, Saleh’s brother believes he may have been “killed by luck” on his third attempt.
Saleh’s final mission began on March 23rd, where he responded to an airstrike on Tel al-Sultan area in Rafah. He joined a rescue convoy of Red Crescent ambulances and other vehicles, but Israeli forces ambushed them, killing several responders, including Saleh. The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas fighters were using the ambulances for cover.
Saleh’s family is among those who have lost loved ones in this incident. His brother Bilal said: “These paramedics were providing humanitarian services. They did not pose any threat or carry weapons. What was their crime for them to be killed like this?” Sobhi Bahloul, a 63-year-old father searching for his son Mohammad, described the scene at the morgue: “The gunshot wounds were clear – shots to the chest and wrist. It looked like he had raised his hand to shield himself, and the bullets went through his hand into his chest and out of his back.”
Mohammad Bahloul was a volunteer Red Crescent paramedic who had been working since 2018. His father recalled: “We hardly saw him at home… He was courageous and proactive, never waiting for instructions – always taking the initiative.” The incident has sparked outrage among families and community leaders, with many demanding accountability from the Israeli military.
The deaths of Saleh Moamer and Mohammad Bahloul are a stark reminder of the risks faced by civilians and first responders in the Gaza Strip during times of conflict.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/05/families-tell-of-shock-over-idf-killing-of-gaza-paramedics