On Sunday, a mass grave with the bodies of 15 first responders was discovered in Gaza. This tragic finding follows the disappearance of the group during a rescue mission one week earlier.
The incident began in the early hours of March 23, when an ambulance from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) called for help, claiming it was under attack by Israeli forces. In response, three additional ambulances and a team from the Civil Defence were sent to assist. However, communication with the first group quickly ceased.
Satellite images taken three days later revealed tire tracks and signs of military vehicles in the area where the group went missing. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their troops fired on the ambulances because they had not coordinated their movements with the military, claiming that the vehicles’ headlights and emergency signals were turned off.
PRCS officials, however, argue that coordination was unnecessary since they were operating in what they considered a safe area. Mohammed Abu Mosahba, the director of ambulance and emergency services at PRCS, emphasized that the first ambulance was not required to coordinate its movements. After the initial attack, PRCS requested coordination for the other ambulances, but the IDF issued a new evacuation order only hours later, long after the attack had begun.
The IDF later stated that the bodies were buried in sand to preserve them, as they could not allow UN access to recover the dead due to ongoing military operations. However, this statement has not been verified by the UN.
Reports from first responders indicated that some bodies may have had their hands or feet tied. Images shared with Sky News showed evidence of plastic ties on some of the bodies, which is consistent with how emergency workers identify deceased individuals. The IDF, in response, claimed that no evidence supports these allegations and promised a thorough investigation.
This incident comes amid a rising trend of violence against aid workers in Gaza. In just two weeks leading up to March 27, at least 29 aid workers were killed or injured, marking the highest casualty rate in nearly a year. Since the conflict escalated, a total of 336 aid workers have reportedly lost their lives, according to Humanitarian Outcomes.
The situation for aid organizations in Gaza is becoming increasingly dangerous. Following a recent attack on a UN guesthouse that resulted in one death and several injuries, many organizations are reconsidering their operations in the region. The UN has already removed about one-third of its international staff from Gaza due to security concerns.
As this situation develops, the humanitarian community is calling for greater protection for aid workers and clearer communication to prevent such tragedies in the future.