New York Times Video Proves Israel Lies About Killing of Gaza Paramedics

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A video released on Saturday, April 5, 2025 by The New York Times has revealed deliberate lies by the Israeli army concerning the killing of 15 Palestinian paramedics in southern Gaza on March 23.

The phone footage contradicts Israel's report on why the army fired at the ambulance convoy and firetrucks, resulting in the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics in Gaza.

In its initial statement and following international outrage, the Israeli army claimed that the vehicles suspiciously advanced from its troops "without front lights, or emergency signals, (and) their movement was not coordinated in advance."

The army claimed that nine members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were killed in the attack.

However, the footage cited by Anadolu contradicts Israel's claims and presents new evidence that the ambulance involved in the attack was clearly marked and had its emergency lights on.

The video was taken by one of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) medics who died in the attack. He was among the 15 medics buried in a mass grave in Gaza.

The PRCS stated that the video footage had been presented to the UN Security Council. The video shows the marked ambulance stopping by the side of the road, with its lights still flashing, and at least two emergency responders stepping out wearing reflective gear.

The front windshield of the filmed vehicle cracked and gunfire can then be heard for minutes as the person filming prayed before being executed. He is understood to be one of the medics who died.

The footage was found on his phone after his body was recovered from a shallow grave a week after the incident. The bodies of eight medics, six Civil Defense workers of Gaza, and a UN staff were found buried in the sand, along with their destroyed vehicles.

It took several days for international organizations to negotiate safe access to the site.

Israel claimed a number of Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were killed in the incident but did not provide evidence or further explain the threat to its troops.

Paramedic Munther Abed said: "Day and night, it's all the same. Both external and internal lights are on. Everything tells you that it's an ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent. All lights were on until the vehicle took direct fire."

He also denied he or his team had any militant connections. "All crews are civilians. We are not part of any militant group. Our main task is to provide ambulance services and save people's lives. Nothing more, nothing less," he said.

Speaking at the United Nations yesterday, PRCS President Dr. Younis Al-Khatib referred to the video footage, stating, "I heard the voice of one of the team members killed. His last words before being shot... 'forgive me mother, I just wanted to help people. I wanted to save lives.' This is heart-wrenching."

He called for "accountability" and "an independent and thorough investigation" into what he referred to as "terrible crimes".

The Israeli army did not comment on the newly released footage.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society announced the discovery of 14 bodies after the Israeli attack. The victims included eight Red Crescent workers, five Civil Defense personnel, and a UN agency staff.

It occurred days after the Palestinian Civil Defense said they found the body of a team member killed by Israeli forces, bringing the death toll from the attack to 15.

More than 50,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza by Israeli military attacks since October 2023.

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