Israeli Army Probe Reveals ‘Professional Failures’ in Killing of 15 Gaza Aid Workers

Gaza Strip – An Israeli military investigation, whose findings were disclosed on Sunday, April 20, 2025, revealed that the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza last month was marred by “multiple professional failures, violations of orders, and incomplete reporting.” The incident, which occurred on March 23, 2025, in Rafah, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in the ongoing conflict.

Details of the Investigation

The Israeli army’s probe found that the incident involved three separate shooting events near Rafah’s Tel al-Sultan area, where aid workers were responding to civilian distress calls following an Israeli airstrike. The military claimed that six of the 15 Palestinians killed were identified as Hamas “terrorists,” while expressing regret for the harm caused to “uninvolved civilians.” However, the investigation admitted to operational errors, including a “misunderstanding” by troops who believed they faced an imminent threat, and a direct violation of orders in the third incident involving a UN-marked vehicle.

Casualties and Circumstances

The 15 victims included eight Palestinian Red Crescent workers, six from Gaza’s Civil Defense, and one UNRWA employee, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Their bodies were discovered a week later in a shallow mass grave near the site, as confirmed by OCHA and Palestinian Red Crescent officials. Yunis al-Khatib, head of the Palestinian Red Crescent, stated during a press conference in Ramallah two weeks prior that autopsies showed the victims were shot in the upper body “with intent to kill,” contradicting the Israeli army’s claim of no evidence supporting allegations of executions.

Israeli Army’s Response and Accountability

The Israeli military denied that soldiers engaged in indiscriminate firing, asserting they were on alert for “real threats.” However, the probe acknowledged significant failures, including incomplete reporting by the responsible unit. As a result, the commander of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance battalion was sacked for providing an “incomplete and inaccurate” report during a post-incident assessment. The army also admitted that the third shooting incident, targeting a UN vehicle, involved “operational errors” and a breach of instructions in a combat environment.

Conflicting Narratives

Initial Israeli statements claimed soldiers fired on “terrorists” in “suspicious vehicles” with lights off, approaching their position. However, a video recovered from a deceased aid worker’s phone, published by the Palestinian Red Crescent, showed ambulances with headlights and emergency lights on, contradicting the military’s account. The investigation detailed three incidents: the first involved shooting at a vehicle mistaken for Hamas’s; the second targeted individuals exiting a fire truck and nearby ambulances due to a perceived “imminent threat”; and the third, a UN vehicle, was hit due to operational errors.

International Outcry and Humanitarian Risks

The incident has reignited global criticism, spotlighting the risks faced by aid workers in Gaza amid the war that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The UN, typically cautious in assigning blame, accused Israel of the killings, while reports from Reuters and The New York Times noted that some victims were shot multiple times before being buried. The involvement of the notorious Golani Brigade and Unit 504, known for alleged reckless behavior, as reported by The Guardian, has further fueled calls for accountability.

Broader Context

The killings occur against the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid operations face constant threats. Social media reactions on X reflect outrage, with users demanding justice for the aid workers and highlighting the need for better protection mechanisms. As the conflict continues, the incident underscores the urgent need for measures to safeguard humanitarian workers in war zones.

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