Tragic Findings: Autopsies Reveal Fatal Injuries of Gaza Medics Shot by Israeli Forces

A recent investigation reveals that the majority of 15 fatalities, including rescue workers and a U.N. employee, resulted from direct gunfire during a controversial Israeli military operation. International reactions categorize the incident as a potential war crime, igniting further scrutiny of military actions in Gaza.

The paramedics and rescue workers killed during an Israeli assault in Gaza last month suffered primarily head and chest wounds, according to recent autopsy findings acquired by The New York Times. The investigation details the tragic events of March 23, where Israeli forces opened fire on ambulances and firefighting units dispatched by the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Witness testimonies, alongside video and audio evidence, confirm the IDF's responsibility for the attack that took 15 lives, mainly comprised of rescue personnel and a United Nations driver who inadvertently arrived post-incident. Reports indicate that the deceased were often buried in a mass grave, with significant destruction of emergency vehicles following the assault.

Despite Israeli military acknowledgment of the attack, responses have been rife with fluctuating justifications. Some assertions claimed that those killed were affiliated with Hamas, yet no evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim. An ongoing investigation by Israel into the incident aims to clarify the actions taken by its troops, though international responses have labeled the incident a potential war crime.

Autopsies were conducted from April 1 to April 5, revealing that aside from gunshots, several victims also had shrapnel injuries. The autopsies were performed by Dr. Ahmad Dhair, head of Gaza’s health forensic unit, with insights from Dr. Arne Stray-Pedersen, a Norwegian forensic pathologist who previously trained local doctors in forensic methods, contributing to the analysis of findings from the gruesome attack.