Killing of 15 Palestinian Paramedics Near Rafah Sparks Investigation
In March 2025, 15 Palestinian paramedics were killed near Rafah when a clearly marked convoy was attacked, raising serious concerns about the targeting of medical workers amid escalating conflict in Gaza.
Published on April 13, 2025
On March 23, 2025, amid escalating violence in Gaza, 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency responders were killed near Rafah when Israeli forces attacked a convoy of clearly marked ambulances. Initial military claims stated that the vehicles were unlit and potentially carrying militants; however, video evidence and survivor testimony quickly contradicted that account, prompting calls from the UN and humanitarian groups for an independent investigation.
A week later, the bodies of the responders were found in a mass grave, with evidence suggesting close-range executions and that some victims were bound before death. This tragic incident has intensified scrutiny over the targeting of medical convoys during the 18-month-long conflict, which has already claimed over 50,800 Palestinian lives.