UN demands 'answers, justice' for killing of Palestinian medics, rescuers in Gaza

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN relief chief on Monday denounced the Israeli killing of paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), first responders from the Gaza Civil Defense, and a UN staff member who were killed while performing emergency duties in southern Gaza Strip.

As many as "15 emergency and aid workers in Gaza – from Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Palestinian Civil Defense and UN - were found buried by their wrecked and well-marked vehicles," Tom Fletcher wrote on X, as he conveyed his condolences to the victims' families.

On Sunday, Jonathan Whittall, senior humanitarian affairs officer at OCHA in the occupied Palestinian territory, said "bodies of eight PRCS, six Civil Defense and one UN staff" were retrieved following an Israeli strike about a week ago.

"They were killed in their uniforms. Driving their clearly marked vehicles. Wearing their gloves. On their way to save lives," Whittall said on X.

The medics were targeted on March 23 as they headed to provide first aid to wounded individuals from Israeli shelling in the Al-Hashashin area.

"They were killed by Israeli forces while trying to save lives. We demand answers and justice," said Fletcher.

Israel resumed intense bombing of Gaza on March 18, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire in the territory, where it has killed more than 50,000 people since Oct 7, 2023.