David Mencer stated the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) opened hearth “from a distance” at a convoy that was “moving suspiciously in their direction” on 23 March.
Fifteen emergency staff had been killed within the incident close to the southern metropolis of Rafah.
“It is not the primary time that Hamas has used ambulances to smuggle terrorists.
“It’s a matter of public record.”
Requested whether or not the IDF had any proof any of these within the convoy had been Hamas terrorists earlier than they opened hearth, Mr Mencer replied: “Our investigation is taking place right now. It’s going to be very thorough… We have nothing to hide whatsoever.”
When requested the query once more, Mr Mencer stated: “Emergency vehicles should be used to save lives. Hamas has turned them into getaway cars for killers.”
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‘Israel is not afraid’
It comes after the IDF stated on Monday that findings from a preliminary investigation discovered six of those that died had been “identified as Hamas terrorists”.
The IDF additionally stated in a press release: “All the claims raised regarding the incident will be examined through the mechanism and presented in a detailed and thorough manner for a decision on how to handle the event.”
Footage on the weekend confirmed the second the help staff got here below hearth, with ambulances and hearth insignia clearly seen and crimson lights flashing.
The Palestine Pink Crescent Society (PRCS) has demanded an impartial investigation into the “atrocious” deaths of the help staff.
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IDF opens hearth on Gaza help staff
Israel had earlier claimed the capturing occurred in a fight zone, nonetheless an investigation by Sky’s information and forensics unit discovered this was not the case.
Requested concerning the findings, Mr Mencer stated: “There’s nothing I’m going to say that is going to prejudice this investigation.
“The outcomes will come out shortly. It is a thorough investigation by the IDF.”
Deported MPs row
Abtisam Mohamed and fellow Labour MP Yuan Yang were denied entry to Israel when they arrived there on Saturday as part of a parliamentary delegation to visit humanitarian aid projects in the West Bank, they said.
Mr Mencer claimed the MPs had wanted people to “boycott Israel”, adding: “Boycotting this nation basically signifies that you don’t want Israel to exist.”
He also accused the two MPs of accusing Israel of “false crimes” and “selling sanctions” in opposition to the Israeli folks.
What have Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed stated about Israel?
Former journalist Ms Yang has solely spoken as soon as within the Commons about Israel-Gaza since she turned an MP final 12 months.
She known as on the federal government to make sure journalists can work safely in Gaza after which posted on X about a lot of her former Monetary Instances colleagues being denied entry to Gaza by Israel, as have all worldwide reporters.
Ms Mohamed is Yemeni-Muslim and has been outspoken in opposition to Israel in her function on the Overseas Affairs Committee, talking within the Commons 5 occasions on the subject since changing into an MP final July.
The MP has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “war crimes”, one thing Israel has rejected.
She additionally spearheaded a cross-party name from 61 MPs for a UK ban on Israeli items.
Mr Mencer added: “We will always defend ourselves…. Because this country is a democracy and we will defend our values.”
In a comment directed at Mark Austin, he continued: “You may have succumbed to this woke, Islamist ideology – we have not.”
In a joint assertion after they had been deported, Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed stated they had been “astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities”.
“It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness, first-hand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory,” they stated.
