- Humanitarian groups allege that the Israeli Defense Forces may be hiding details about the deaths of 15 aid workers in Gaza. These workers were found in a mass grave after disappearing in March while providing aid.
- The United Nations and the Palestine Red Crescent Society confirm the workers were found near their marked vehicles.
- Humanitarian groups demand that Israel be held responsible and urge nations to speak out to prevent further Palestinian casualties.
Full Story
Officials with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) may be trying to hide what really happened to 15 first responders who were sent to provide aid in Gaza, according to humanitarian groups. This new development comes after a mass grave was uncovered in March near the Gaza Strip.
United Nations confirms the death of 15 first responders
U.N. Relief Chief Tom Fletcher confirmed that the emergency aid workers were found buried near their damaged, clearly marked vehicles. The group consisted of members from the Palestinian Civil Defense, U.N. and the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
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The bodies were recovered by their fellow colleague. A video showed them carrying each person’s body wrapped in a white sheet.
The U.N. Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) also expressed condemnation of the deaths on social media.
“These were humanitarian workers,” the statement read in part.
The post on X continued to say, “In Gaza these killings have become routine.”
According to UNRWA, the death toll of first responders has now exceeded 400 since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. U.N. data reveals more than 1,000 healthcare workers have been killed in the past 18 months.
The group first disappeared in Rafah on March 23 while providing aid to the injured.
What does the Israeli Defense Forces say regarding the deaths?
CBS News reported Israeli Defense Forces initially said in late March that the military opened fire because the vehicles were advancing near their troops without emergency signals or lights. However, on Monday, the IDF confirmed an in-depth inquiry is now underway to “uncover the truth.”
The initial reports describe the area as a combat zone, resulting in troops opening fire due to a perceived threat after a previous encounter. The IDF said the individuals killed were later identified as Hamas terrorists.
Palestine Red Crescent Society rebukes claims from IDF
However, the Palestine Red Crescent (PRCS) said a video captured by one of the medics shows an opposite account. Logos of their aid mission and flashing lights can be seen before five minutes of heavy gunfire erupts.
Dr. Younes al-Khatib, president of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, described the events during a United Nations press conference on April 4, 2025.
“I heard the voice of one of those team members who was killed, and his phone was found with his body. He recorded the whole event. His last words before being shot: ‘Forgive me, Mom. I just wanted to help people.’ He wanted to save lives and then he was killed.”
The PRCS also said an autopsy proves the killings were intentional. “The preliminary forensic report confirmed that the medics were killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the upper parts of their bodies.”
The organization also reported the Central Dispatch Center confirms the gunfire continued for at least two hours until contact with the medics was eventually lost. The PRCS confirmed that the area was not considered a “red zone,” meaning there were no reports of active combat in the area.
Humanitarian groups are calling for Israel to be held responsible for the deaths. They also urge nations around the world to break their silence, warning that more Palestinians will die if action is not taken.
