The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has strongly condemned the deaths of eight medics who were killed while on duty in Rafah, southern Gaza.
The attack took place on March 23 in the al-Hashashin area, and their bodies were only recovered a week later after access to the site was initially denied. One medic is still missing.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that the remains of their team were found alongside six members of Gaza’s civil defense agency and a United Nations worker. The identity of those responsible for the attack remains unclear, but Hamas has blamed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Israeli military has not publicly responded to the accusations.
In a statement, the IFRC expressed heartbreak over the loss of the humanitarian workers, describing them as professionals who were helping the injured. The organization emphasized that medical personnel and clearly marked ambulances should be protected under international law.
The attack comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza, with Israel resuming its military operations on March 18 following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 900 people have been killed since the offensive restarted.
Israel previously stated that its forces had fired on ambulances in southern Gaza after identifying them as suspicious. The military claimed that Hamas and other militant groups have repeatedly used emergency vehicles for their operations. A senior Hamas official condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international law.
The conflict has been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has since resulted in tens of thousands of casualties in Gaza.