The Israeli government has concluded that the shooting of 15 emergency responders in Gaza on March 23 was the result of an “operational mistake ” and a violation of purchases, according to the results of an internal investigation released Sunday.
The sensor determined that army believed they were under threat from army troops at the time of the event, but admitted to “several expert problems, breaches of orders, and a failure to completely report the incident. ” The military also announced punitive measures, including the termination of a niche captain.
“The investigation determined that the fire in the first two instances resulted from an administrative misunderstanding by the soldiers, who believed they faced a tangible danger from army forces, ” the statement read. “The second incident involved a violation of orders during a fight setting. ”
The deputy chief of the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion may be removed from his position for “providing an imperfect and false statement during the debrief”. Despite this, military officers described him as “a greatly respected official” who had returned from abroad to assist in Gaza after October 7.
The Commanding Officer of the 14th Brigade will also be fully reprimanded for his entire duty, as per the speech.
The IDF expressed regret over the deaths of civilians and said practices have now been clarified to avoid similar traumas, stressing “heightened prudence when operating near save causes and health personnel, even in high-intensity conflict zones. ”
What happened on March 23?
The incident took place in the Tal al-Sultan region of Rafah as emergency officers responded to grief calls following Jewish attacks. Eight people of the Palestinian Red Crescent, six from Gaza Civil Defence, and a UN employer were killed.
First, Israel claimed the fleet had approached “suspiciously” with no lights on. But picture retrieved from a defeated medic’s mobile, later verified by a surviving partner, showed ambulances with lamps and emergency lights flashing, AFP reported.
Gunfire erupted without warning and lasted over five minutes. One paramedic was heard saying, “Forgive me, mother. This is the path I chose, mother, to help people, ” moments before the footage ends.
A surviving medic said he was beaten and interrogated. Bodies were later found in a mass grave, reportedly buried by IDF soldiers, who claimed it was to clear the road and protect them from wild animals.
