The Palestine Pink Crescent Society (PRCS) has demanded an unbiased investigation into the “atrocious” deaths of 15 support staff killed by Israeli troops in Gaza in March.
The group’s president, Dr Younis al Khatib, mentioned he had requested the UN Safety Council to type an investigation committee into the “intentional killing of the medics”.
In response to Sky’s Alistair Bunkall, spokesman David Mencer claimed the killings have been the results of Hamas hiding amongst civilians and utilizing them as human shields.
However talking in Ramallah, Dr al Khatib mentioned these accountable should be held “accountable for these crimes” through worldwide humanitarian legislation and the Geneva Conference.
“It’s not enough to comfort us with condolences and nice words of investigation and accountability. There has to be action taken,” he added.
He urged an “independent and thorough investigation of this atrocious crime” and that “no one should be above the law”.
“So many questions being asked of the Israelis,” he mentioned.
“Why were they killed? Why did you destroy the ambulances after killing them? Why did you try to dig deep and hide the ambulances? They have to answer for that.”
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) mentioned on Monday {that a} preliminary inquiry into the taking pictures “indicated the troops opened fire due to a perceived threat following a previous encounter in the area”.
The IDF added that “six of the individuals killed in the incident were identified as Hamas terrorists”.
It comes after footage on the weekend confirmed the second the help staff have been killed, with ambulances and fireplace insignia clearly seen and crimson lights flashing.
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Cellphone footage contradicts Israeli claims of killing of Gaza medics
The paramedic filming, later discovered with a bullet in his head, is heard saying there are Israelis current and reciting a declaration of religion usually used earlier than somebody dies.
He provides: “Forgive me, mother, this is the path I chose mother, to help people, forgive me, mother, I swear I chose this path only to help people.”
The Israeli army initially claimed the autos – which have been travelling north of Rafah on 23 March – did not have headlights or emergency alerts on and have been focused as they appeared “suspicious”.
An IDF investigation is ongoing, however an Israeli authorities spokesman claimed on Monday that “six Hamas terrorists” have been amongst these killed.
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‘Calls for’ for medic loss of life investigation
Nonetheless many unanswered questions
It is now greater than two weeks since 15 medics have been shot useless by Israeli forces in southern Gaza and there are nonetheless many unanswered questions.
Israel initially mentioned that the medics had been fired upon as a result of they have been behaving suspiciously and travelling with out lights on.
When footage emerged on the weekend contradicting that, and displaying that the autos have been clearly marked as ambulances, the IDF launched a brand new assertion admitting that their troopers made a mistake.
We requested what proof the IDF have that six of the medics killed have been the truth is Hamas operatives, whether or not they may put any of their proof into the general public area, and whether or not any of the troopers concerned within the incident had been withdrawn from operational duties in Gaza till their investigation is full.
Mr Mencer didn’t reply these necessary questions instantly however informed an internet briefing that Hamas use ambulances to journey round Gaza, and insisted six of these killed have been Hamas terrorists, with out offering any new proof, and accused the worldwide media of readily accepting Hamas’ model of occasions.
Nevertheless, this model of occasions the truth is got here from United Nations our bodies and the Palestinian Pink Crescent, reputed organisations with individuals on the bottom in Gaza itself.
The truth that Israel has already needed to dramatically change its story as soon as is why questions will stay till they supply the proof to again up their newest model of what occurred close to Rafah round daybreak on 23 March.
Mr Mencer mentioned: “IDF soldiers opened fire at a distance at vehicles moving suspiciously in their direction.
“Among the many useless have been six Hamas terrorists – what have been Hamas terrorists doing in ambulances? The incident was reported in actual time to UN officers.”
He claimed there were “many documented events” when Hamas had used ambulances as cowl.
An evacuation order was additionally in place on the time, which meant shifting autos have been prohibited, in response to Israel.
The pinnacle of the UN’s humanitarian affairs workplace, Jonathan Whittall, mentioned the 15 individuals have been present in a “mass grave” within the sand.
He mentioned these killed comprised eight members of the PRCS, six civil defence members and one UN worker.
Dylan Winder, from the Worldwide Federation of Pink Cross and Pink Crescent Societies (IFRC), mentioned it was “outraged at the deaths” and that “even in the most complex conflict zones, there are rules”.
“They were humanitarians. They wore emblems that should have been protected. Their ambulances were clearly marked, and they should have returned to their families. They did not,” he mentioned.
