Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Postmortem Examination Reveals Cause of Death for Gaza Paramedics
A forensic pathologist who conducted postmortem examinations on 15 paramedics and rescue personnel killed by Israeli forces in Gaza this March reported that the majority died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso, along with injuries inflicted by explosives. This tragic incident, involving Gaza paramedics and rescue workers, highlights the dangers faced by humanitarian personnel in conflict zones. The fatal attack on paramedics has drawn international scrutiny and calls for accountability. The findings of the postmortem are crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
Details Emerge from Postmortem Reports
The postmortem examination revealed harrowing details of the injuries sustained by the paramedics. Ahmed Dhair, the forensic pathologist in Gaza, examined 14 of the 15 victims and informed The Guardian that he identified “lacerations, entry wounds from bullets, and wounds resulting from explosive injuries,” predominantly concentrated in the “torso area – the chest, abdomen, back, and head.”
According to Dhair, most fatalities resulted from gunshot wounds, including evidence suggesting the use of “explosive bullets,” also known as “butterfly bullets”. These projectiles are designed to detonate upon impact within the body, causing extensive tissue and bone damage. Dhair stated, “We found remains of explosive bullets. In one instance, the bullet head had exploded in the chest, and fragments of the bullet were recovered from the body. Shrapnel from bullets was also found scattered on the back of another victim.”
International Outcry and Calls for Investigation
Last month saw widespread international condemnation after reports surfaced indicating that Israeli forces had launched a deadly attack on a group of paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent, civil defense, and United Nations personnel. These first responders were engaged in a rescue operation in southern Gaza when the incident occurred.
Following the attack, the bodies of the paramedics, along with their destroyed vehicles, were buried in a mass grave in Gaza by Israeli troops. The United Nations later asserted, after exhuming the bodies, that the workers had been executed “one by one,” further intensifying the outcry.
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Disputed Account of Events and IDF Response
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not immediately addressed the allegations concerning the use of explosive bullets in the attack. Details surrounding the incident remain contested. Video footage from the initial stages of the attack shows the ambulance convoy being fired upon; however, the subsequent events leading to the burial of 15 bodies in a mass grave remain unclear and are subject to conflicting accounts.
The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the killings but revised its initial account after evidence emerged contradicting their claim that the vehicles were “moving suspiciously” without lights. Israel has since alleged, without providing public evidence, that six of the unarmed workers were Hamas operatives, a claim strongly denied by the Red Crescent.
Conflicting Evidence and Unanswered Questions
While Dhair indicated that his findings did not suggest close-range shootings, he emphasized his lack of expertise in munitions. He noted that shrapnel found in the bodies implied the use of explosive devices. “In some instances, the injuries appeared to be a combination of explosive and regular gunfire wounds,” he explained.
Addressing allegations that some bodies were exhumed with tied hands, suggesting capture before death, Dhair reported no visible signs of restraint, except in one case. “Only in one instance, discoloration and bruising on the wrists were observed, potentially indicative of restraints,” he clarified. All victims were identified as wearing work uniforms, and their bodies showed signs of decomposition.
Heightened Pressure for Full Account and War Crime Accusations
These findings are expected to intensify pressure on Israel to provide a comprehensive account of the incident, amidst mounting accusations of potential war crimes. Israel maintains that the incident is still under investigation.
Recent developments revealed that Assad al-Nsasrah, one of the two paramedics who survived the incident and whose whereabouts were previously unknown, is currently in Israeli detention.
Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) stated this week that Gaza is becoming a “mass grave for Palestinians,” highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. Compounding the crisis, aid supplies, including food, fuel, water, and medicine, have been blocked by Israel from entering Gaza since March 2nd. This blockade predates the breakdown of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups and the subsequent resumption of air and ground attacks on the territory.
Israel’s Blockade on Humanitarian Aid
Israel has declared its intention to continue blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, asserting it as a means to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages from the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, “Israel’s policy is clear: no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza, and blocking this aid is a key pressure tactic to prevent Hamas from exploiting it with the population.”
Katz further added, “No one is currently planning to allow any humanitarian aid into Gaza, and there are no preparations to enable such aid,” while threatening to escalate the conflict with “tremendous force” if hostages are not returned by Hamas.
Accusations of Crimes Against Humanity
Amnesty International and other aid agencies have condemned Israel’s comprehensive blockade on supplies entering Gaza as a crime against humanity and a violation of international humanitarian law. Israel denies these accusations of violations.
Ongoing Casualties and Worsening Crisis
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 51,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including more than 1,600 since Israel resumed airstrikes and ground operations on March 18th. The Gaza health ministry reports that over half of the deceased are women and children, though it does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
In the latest incidents, 13 more individuals were killed in overnight airstrikes, including Fatema Hassouna, a well-known photographer, reportedly among the dead in northern Gaza.
Humanitarian Situation Deteriorating
Doctors and aid groups on the ground report that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening daily. Mahmoud Shalabi, director at Medical Aid for Palestinians, a British charity, described the situation as “the worst it has been in 18 months regarding deprivation of basic necessities and the resumption of hostilities and attacks against Palestinians across Gaza.”
Israel faces accusations of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis by targeting hospitals and medical personnel in Gaza. Two hospitals have been struck and rendered inoperable by airstrikes this week. Israel alleges that Hamas uses medical facilities as cover for terrorist activities.
Political Sensitivity of Aid Resumption
The resumption of aid to Gaza has become a highly sensitive political issue in Israel. There are still 58 hostages in Gaza, captured during the Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October 2023; of these, 24 are believed to be alive.
Far-Right Opposition to Aid
Far-right figures within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have asserted that no aid should be restored to Gaza civilians until Hamas agrees to release the hostages. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated on Wednesday, “As long as our hostages are languishing in the tunnels, there is no reason for a single gram of food or any aid to enter Gaza.”