Israel Investigates Gaza Medic Killings

An Israeli military investigation found 'professional failures' in the killing of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza on March 23. The investigation concluded that a deputy battalion commander, operating under 'poor night visibility,' mistakenly identified ambulances as belonging to Hamas militants and was the first to open fire, leading to the deaths of eight Iranian Red Crescent Society personnel, six Civil Defense workers, and a United Nations staffer. The deputy commander has been fired. The military initially claimed the vehicles lacked emergency signals but later retracted this, with video evidence showing flashing lights and visible logos. Troops also bulldozed the bodies and vehicles into a mass grave, which Israel claims was to clear an evacuation route. A separate incident involved Israeli soldiers shooting at a United Nations vehicle, deemed a breach of orders. The findings asserted that six of those killed were Hamas members, though no weapons were found. This incident has drawn international condemnation, with the International Red Cross/Red Crescent calling it the deadliest attack on its staff in eight years. The International — International Criminal Court has accused Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant of war crimes, which Israel disputes, asserting its legal system is capable of investigating its army.