Israeli military Gaza paramedics incident retracted original defense over March 23 killings of 15 aid workers in Gaza. After video footage surfaced that contradicted the first explanation, the reversal occurred.
Israeli military Gaza paramedics case took a turn after the IDF admitted its initial claim—that the vehicles moved “suspiciously” without lights—was inaccurate. However, video retrieved from a victim’s phone and reviewed by NBC News showed ambulances with flashing emergency lights and visible Palestinian Red Crescent Society insignias at the time of the attack.
This incident has drawn further international scrutiny amid an already tense period as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington to meet President Donald Trump. His agenda includes discussions on the Gaza war, hostage negotiations, and Trump’s newly imposed 17% tariffs on Israeli goods.
Bodies Recovered, Questions Mount
The IDF later admitted it relied on flawed field information when making the initial, mistaken report. Eight medics, six civil defense responders, and a U.N. worker were among the dead, bringing the total number of aid workers killed in Gaza to 408, according to the U.N.
IDF officials rejected accusations of a cover-up, claiming they covered the bodies to “protect from wild animals” and camouflaged the vehicles as part of “common procedure.”
West Bank Incident Adds to Tensions
The news comes as Israeli forces killed a 14-year-old Palestinian-American boy, identified by Palestinian officials as Omar Muhammad Sa’ada Rabi, in Turmusaya, West Bank. The IDF said he and others were throwing rocks at vehicles, prompting soldiers to open fire.
As of Monday morning, the White House has not commented on the incident. However, it reaffirmed its stance on the Gaza strike, blaming Hamas for using ambulances as “human shields.”
Netanyahu’s Visit Under Spotlight
Netanyahu’s Washington visit is politically charged. He stated that his goals include discussions on completing the Gaza operation, resolving the hostage crisis, and addressing Trump’s tariff regime, which many in Israel see as an economic blow despite the U.S. being Israel’s top trade partner.
With international pressure mounting, the fallout from these events could shape U.S.-Israel relations in the critical months ahead.
Source: NBC News
