Israeli troops killed 15 medics and rescuers in Rafah; the IDF's first account was contradicted by video, and its own probe found 'professional failures'
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What happened
Before dawn on March 23, 2025, Israeli troops opened fire on a convoy of Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulances, Gaza Civil Defence vehicles and a UN vehicle in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah, killing 15 medics and rescuers; the vehicles and bodies were later buried. The IDF initially said the vehicles approached suspiciously without headlights or emergency signals. Video recovered from a victim's phone, which surfaced in early April 2025, showed emergency lights on. An IDF investigation released April 20, 2025 found 'professional failures, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report the incident,' said burying the bodies and vehicles was wrong but found no attempt to conceal the shootings, dismissed the Golani reconnaissance battalion's deputy commander and reprimanded the 14th Brigade commander. The findings were passed to the Military Advocate General, which decides on any charges. The IDF said six of the dead were Hamas members without public evidence; PRCS rejected the report and calls for an independent international investigation.
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Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
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