Israeli military says review into its killing of Gaza aid workers found ‘professional failures’

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims that six of the 15 rescuers were "Hamas terrorists," but acknowledged an "operational misunderstanding" and a "failure to follow orders."

The Israeli military said on Sunday (20.04.2025) that an investigation into the deaths of 15 rescue workers in the Gaza Strip last month found operational errors and failure to follow orders, but that there was no attempt to cover up the incident. The Israeli military investigation into the case, the results of which were recently made public, indicates that it found no evidence of the "execution" of the 15 rescuers near Rafah, in southern Gaza, the scene of a serious conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

The paramedics and emergency workers were shot dead on March 23 and buried in a shallow grave, where their bodies were found a week later by UN and Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) officials.

A commanding officer will be reprimanded for his "overall responsibility for the incident," and a deputy commander will be removed for being in charge of the camp and for providing an "incomplete and inaccurate account" of the incident.

Professional errors, operational misunderstandings and failure to comply with orders

"The examination identified several professional failings," the Israeli military said in a statement Sunday, and "determined that the fires in the first two incidents were due to an operational misunderstanding by the troops, who believed they were facing a tangible threat from enemy forces."

"The third incident involved failure to follow orders in a combat environment," he added. The military claims, without providing evidence, that six of the 15 dead first responders were "Hamas terrorists."

The Israeli military said the deputy commander had ordered troops to open fire on people exiting vehicles later identified as a fire truck and several ambulances.

An hour earlier, soldiers had fired on another vehicle they believed belonged to Hamas, and the deputy commander perceived a threat, he added. According to the Israeli military, the deputy commander was unable to recognize the vehicles in the second incident as ambulances "due to poor visibility at night."