The Israeli military has acknowledged serious mistakes in the shooting of aid workers in Gaza. An investigation revealed multiple failures in protocol during the tragic incident that occurred on March 23, where 15 aid workers were killed when Israeli troops opened fire on their convoy, which included ambulances.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that a deputy commander would be dismissed for providing an inaccurate report about the incident, while a commanding officer would face reprimand. The military emphasized that there was no attempt to cover up what happened.
The shooting took place in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, when Israeli forces mistakenly identified the aid workers as a threat. The convoy was clearly marked with humanitarian symbols, and the workers were wearing uniforms. Mobile phone footage later showed the scene, contradicting initial claims from Israel that the vehicles lacked emergency signals.
According to the IDF, the deputy commander did not recognize the ambulances due to poor visibility at night. He believed the vehicles were associated with Hamas, which led to the decision to open fire. The investigation also noted that a separate incident involving a Palestinian UN vehicle occurred shortly after, which was deemed a breach of orders.
In the aftermath, the bodies of the aid workers were buried in a mass grave, with Israeli troops bulldozing over them and their vehicles. The IDF stated that while removing the bodies was necessary, crushing the vehicles was a wrong decision. They also clarified that there was no evidence to support claims that any of the deceased were executed or bound.
The military expressed regret for the harm caused to innocent civilians and acknowledged that the gunfire resulted from an operational misunderstanding. The investigation highlighted the need for better communication and adherence to protocols in high-pressure situations to prevent such tragedies in the future.