The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has called for an independent international inquiry into the “deliberate killing” of 15 paramedics and emergency humanitarian personnel in an attack by Israeli forces in Gaza in March.
Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah on Monday, the PRCS President Younis al-Khatib demanded punishment for the crimes of Israel and said merely speaking of international law and the Geneva Convention is not sufficient.
Khatib said an independent international investigation commission needs “to establish the facts and hold those responsible accountable.”
“It is now required from the international community and the UN Security Council to implement the necessary punishment against all who are responsible,” Khatib said.
The PRCS president further demanded that Israel disclose the whereabouts of PRCS staff still missing.
Khatib said the investigations led by the Israeli military cannot be trusted.
“We at PRCS have been accustomed to Israel’s false allegations and fabricated stories with regards to what goes on in the Gaza Strip.”
The March 23 attack killed at least 15 Palestinian medics when Israeli forces knowingly opened fire on a convoy of ambulances in Rafah.
The PRCS president also called on the international community to safeguard aid workers and prevent the targeting of hospitals, medical centers or ambulance vehicles in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Khatib at the news conference also listed evidence contained in a video footage showing Israeli soldiers killing Palestinian medics.
The ambulances had emergency lights on and PRCS crew members were wearing emergency vests despite Israeli claims to the contrary.
“This involves the assassination of 15 PRCS members. However, we believe that the whole world, including media representatives, has now come to realize who is telling the truth.”
In the video, paramedics can be heard praying that the fuel in their ambulances would be enough to carry out their rescue mission.
This shows how the siege imposed by Israel has been affecting rescue services and the levels of stress that staff are put through.
Israel directly opened fire on the ambulances. This is also confirmed by one survivor who said the ambulances came under direct fire with no warning.
He also spoke of having been used by Israelis as a “human shield” before being able to escape.
Germany calls for urgent investigation into "shocking" incident
Meanwhile, Germany has also called for an urgent inquiry into the attack, questioning the actions of the Israeli army.
Germany foreign ministry spokesman Christian Wagner on Monday called for an urgent investigation into "shocking" incident that took place on March 23.
"There are very significant questions about the actions of the Israeli army now," Wagner said after new video footage emerged.
"An investigation and accountability of the perpetrators are urgently needed."
Netherlands tightens controls on Israeli military
Following the incident, the Dutch government said in a letter to parliament that it had tightened export controls for all military and “dual use” goods destined for Israel.
All direct exports and the transit of these goods to Israel will be checked to see if they comply with European regulations, and will no longer be covered by general export licenses.
“This is desirable considering the security situation in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and the wider region,” Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and Trade Minister Reinette Klever wrote.
A large number of humanitarian personnel and aid workers from organisations, including World Central Kitchen and the UK-based Al-Khair Foundation, are among those killed in recent Israeli strikes.
In the most recent aggression, Israeli occupation forces have killed more than 40 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since dawn including children and journalists.
Press TV’s website
