GAZA STRIP – A preliminary investigation conducted by human rights organizations and eyewitness accounts has revealed that the Israeli army fired well over 100 bullets during the incident on Wednesday in which three Palestinian medics were killed near the border fence in the Gaza Strip. The findings, released today, paint a picture of a sustained and intense barrage of fire directed at the clearly marked medical personnel, raising serious questions about the rules of engagement and the intentionality of the attack.
The three medics – named by the Palestinian Health Ministry as Ashraf al-Qudra, Youssef al-Zaini, and Ibrahim al-Rifi – were reportedly attending to casualties from earlier protests east of Khan Younis when they came under fire. Initial reports from the Israeli military stated that soldiers had responded to “violent riots” and “attempts to breach the security fence.” However, the emerging evidence contradicts this narrative, suggesting the medics were a significant distance from any active clashes and were easily identifiable by their medical vests.
Eyewitness Accounts Detail Relentless Fire:
Several eyewitnesses, including other medical personnel who survived the attack, described a relentless stream of bullets directed at the medics. “It wasn’t just a few shots. It was continuous fire, like they were trying to make sure no one was left standing,” said one volunteer medic who declined to be named for fear of reprisal. “We were clearly marked. There was no mistake.”
Another witness, a journalist covering the protests, corroborated this account. “I saw them [the medics] tending to the injured, and then the firing started. It went on for what felt like a very long time – a constant hail of bullets.”
Human Rights Groups Demand Independent Inquiry:
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and other Palestinian and international organizations have condemned the killings and are calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the incident. Their preliminary findings, based on field investigations and analysis of shrapnel recovered from the scene, indicate that a high volume of fire was used.
“The sheer number of bullets fired suggests a deliberate targeting of medical personnel, which constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law,” stated Salwa Hadid, a legal researcher at Al Mezan. “The Israeli military’s initial narrative is inconsistent with the evidence we have gathered.”
Israeli Military Response Remains Under Scrutiny:
The Israeli military has stated that it is reviewing the incident. In a brief statement released earlier today, a spokesperson reiterated that soldiers had been dealing with violent unrest and alleged that militants often disguise themselves as medical personnel – a claim frequently made by the IDF but rarely substantiated with concrete evidence in specific incidents.
However, the high number of shots fired, coupled with eyewitness testimonies of the medics’ clear identification and distance from active clashes, is intensifying pressure on the Israeli military to provide a credible and detailed explanation.
International Condemnation Growing:
The killing of the medics has drawn widespread condemnation from international bodies and governments. The United Nations has called for a swift and impartial investigation, emphasizing the need to protect medical personnel in conflict zones. Several European foreign ministries have also issued statements expressing concern and urging accountability.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Gaza Strip, with frequent protests along the border fence often met with lethal force by the Israeli military. The killing of clearly identified medical workers has further inflamed the situation and raised serious concerns about the respect for international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict. The demand for a thorough and independent investigation is likely to grow as more details emerge about the deadly attack.