Geneva, 1 April 2025
I condemn the attack by the
Israeli army on a medical and emergency convoy on 23 March
resulting in the killing of 15 medical personnel and
humanitarian workers in Gaza. The subsequent discovery of
their bodies eight days later in Rafah, buried near their
clearly marked destroyed vehicles, is deeply disturbing.
This raises significant questions with regard to the conduct
of the Israeli army during and in the aftermath of the
incident.
Medical personnel and
humanitarian and emergency workers must be protected by all
parties to the conflict, as required by international
humanitarian law. Such disappearances and killings raise
serious concerns as tens of thousands of Palestinians need
help while they are reportedly trapped in Tall Al-Sultan,
Rafah, with the entire governorate under a displacement
order.
Israel, as the occupying power,
has the responsibility of protecting civilians and
facilitating their access to basic lifesaving services,
including healthcare. My Office has on several occasions
raised concerns about the detention and killing of medical
and emergency personnel in Gaza, who are working under
extremely difficult conditions. Hundreds of them have been
killed over the past 18 months.
The fate and
whereabouts of the last member of the Palestinian Red
Crescent Society who remains missing must be clarified.
There must be an independent, prompt and thorough
investigation into the incident and those responsible for
any violation of international law must be held to
account.
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