Civil defence: Israel executed rescue workers in Rafah, buried bodies

The General Directorate of Civil Defence in Gaza has accused Israeli forces of executing 15 emergency responders in Rafah and burying their bodies in an apparent cover-up.

In a statement, the directorate described the 23 March killings as a “heinous crime against humanity”, carried out while crews were attempting to rescue the wounded and evacuate civilians from the Unrwa barracks area.

“Our teams were on a purely humanitarian mission,” the statement said, adding that they had responded to calls for help during an Israeli incursion that came without warning.

The civil defence said the bodies of the victims, including members of the Red Crescent, were only recovered eight days later, found buried roughly 200 metres from their destroyed vehicles.

In a video published yesterday, the agency documented what it said was evidence of execution, including official uniforms, vehicle markings, and attempts by Israeli forces to alter the victims’ identities and conceal their deaths.

“This crime confirms the occupation has no regard for international humanitarian law,” the statement continued, adding that 113 civil defence workers have been killed since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza.

The agency called on the international community to guarantee protection for emergency crews.