The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has strongly condemned the killing of eight medics in Rafah, southern Gaza. The humanitarian workers were part of a nine-person ambulance team that came under heavy fire on March 23 in the al-Hashashin area. According to the IFRC, the team was operating in clearly marked ambulances and wearing identifiable humanitarian emblems when they were attacked.

Bodies Recovered After Days of Restricted Access

Following the attack, armed forces blocked entry to the site for an entire week, preventing any immediate rescue or retrieval of the bodies. On Sunday, after persistent efforts, rescue workers were finally allowed to enter the area. They recovered the bodies of eight medics, while one team member remains missing.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that in addition to the eight medics, six civil defense workers and one United Nations employee were also found dead. While the PRCS did not officially state who was responsible for the attack, Hamas accused Israeli forces of directly targeting the convoy.

The IFRC released the names of the victims: ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer, and Ezzedine Shaath, along with volunteer responders Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed al-Sharif, and Rifatt Radwan. The missing medic was identified as ambulance officer Assad Al-Nassasra.

“They Were Saving Lives – They Should Have Been Protected”

IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the humanitarian workers. He emphasized that even in times of war, international laws require the protection of medics and humanitarian workers.

“They were saving lives. They should have been protected, not targeted,” Chapagain said in a statement. He called for full adherence to international humanitarian law and demanded that all parties involved in the conflict respect the safety of health services.

Israeli Military Responds, Labels Ambulances as ‘Suspicious Vehicles’

Initially, the Israeli military made no public comment on the incident. However, later reports from AFP revealed that Israeli officials had confirmed firing on ambulances during operations in southern Gaza.

According to a military statement, Israeli troops had initially targeted vehicles carrying Hamas fighters. Shortly afterward, additional vehicles approached the area, leading to more gunfire. The army later determined that some of these vehicles were ambulances and fire trucks.

The Israeli military has accused armed groups in Gaza of repeatedly using ambulances for combat-related activities. They claim that Hamas has previously disguised militants as medics to transport fighters and weapons.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim called the attack a war crime, stating that it violated the Geneva Conventions. Human rights organizations have also raised concerns over the growing number of attacks on humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

Renewed Fighting in Gaza Takes a Heavy Toll

The killing of the medics comes amid intensified fighting in Gaza following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. Israel resumed its military campaign on March 18 after a temporary truce failed to bring a lasting agreement.

Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have resulted in significant casualties. According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 900 people have been killed in the latest round of attacks.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, which has since led to more than 50,000 reported Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Growing Humanitarian Crisis and International Reactions

The ongoing conflict has created a dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and various aid organizations have repeatedly warned that the continued military operations are making it nearly impossible to deliver medical assistance, food, and water to civilians in Gaza.

Despite international calls for de-escalation, both sides remain locked in conflict. Israel maintains that its military actions are necessary to dismantle Hamas and ensure security, while Palestinian authorities and humanitarian organizations argue that civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence.

The IFRC, along with other humanitarian groups, is urging all parties to respect international laws protecting medical personnel. “Without safe access, humanitarian efforts in Gaza are nearly impossible,” Chapagain stated.

As tensions escalate, global leaders continue to push for diplomatic solutions to end the fighting and address the worsening humanitarian situation.