Israeli military changes account of Gaza paramedics' killing after video of attack

[Dennis Donovan]

4. AP: Israel walks back its account of the killing of 15 medics in Gaza after video seems to contradict it

AP - Israel walks back its account of the killing of 15 medics in Gaza after video seems to contradict it

By EDITH M. LEDERER, WAFAA SHURAFA and LEE KEATH
Updated 8:15 AM EDT, April 6, 2025

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Israeli military backtracked on its account of the killing of 15 Palestinian medics by its forces last month after phone video appeared to contradict its claims that their vehicles did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire on them in the Gaza Strip.

The military initially said it opened fire because the vehicles were “advancing suspiciously” on nearby troops without headlights or emergency signals. An Israeli military official, speaking late Saturday on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said that account was “mistaken.”

The footage shows the Red Crescent and Civil Defense teams driving slowly with their emergency vehicles’ lights flashing, logos visible, as they pulled up to help an ambulance that had come under fire earlier. The teams do not appear to be acting unusually or in a threatening manner as three medics emerge and head toward the stricken ambulance.

Their vehicles immediately come under a barrage of gunfire, which goes on for more than five minutes with brief pauses. The owner of the phone can be heard praying.

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