Autopsy Evidence Reveals Gaza Rescue Workers "Shot in Head and Torso," Raising War Crime Allegations
Postmortem examinations of 15 paramedics and rescue workers killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last month show most victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head and torso, contradicting Israel's initial account of the incident. The forensic findings have intensified international calls for an independent investigation into what UN officials described as execution-style killings that may constitute war crimes.
Autopsy Findings Reveal Disturbing Pattern of Injuries
The forensic evidence from 14 of the 15 victims paints a grim picture of their final moments. Dr. Ahmed Dhair, the Gaza-based forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsies, found that 11 of the victims had gunshot wounds, with at least six shot in their chests or backs and four shot in the head. Most had been shot multiple times, according to reports obtained by The New York Times and confirmed by The Guardian.
"We found lacerations, entry wounds from bullets, and wounds resulting from explosive injuries. These were mostly concentrated in the torso area – the chest, abdomen, back, and head," Dr. Dhair told The Guardian. "In one case, the bullet head had exploded in the chest, and the rest of the bullet fragments were found within the body."
The autopsies, conducted between April 1 and April 5, also revealed evidence of "explosive bullets" or "butterfly bullets" that fragment upon impact, causing extensive internal damage. In one victim, shrapnel from bullets was scattered across the back.
Most victims were wearing identifiable emergency service uniforms at the time of the attack, confirming their status as medical personnel from the Palestinian Red Crescent, civil defense teams, and United Nations agencies New York Times1.
Israel's Changing Narrative Raises Questions
The Israeli military's account of the March 23 incident has shifted substantially as evidence emerged challenging their initial claims. Initially, Israeli forces stated they had fired on vehicles traveling without lights or emergency markings, suggesting the medical workers might have been mistaken for combatants Reuters2.
However, video footage recovered from a paramedic's phone contradicted this version, showing the convoy clearly marked with emergency lights when troops opened fire. The Israeli military subsequently admitted its initial account was "mistaken" The Guardian3.
Further controversy emerged when it was discovered that after the attack, Israeli forces had buried the bodies in a sandy mass grave along with crushed ambulances and emergency vehicles. The bodies were only recovered and examined days later The Guardian4.
Israel has claimed, without publicly presenting evidence, that six of the unarmed workers killed were Hamas operatives—an allegation strongly denied by the Palestinian Red Crescent.
International Condemnation and Calls for Investigation
The killings have triggered widespread international outcry and demands for accountability. The Palestinian Red Crescent has called for an international commission of inquiry, describing the attack as a "full-fledged war crime" Al Jazeera5.
Amnesty International has demanded "an independent and impartial investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, emphasizing that intentionally targeting medical personnel constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law Amnesty International6.
"The deliberate killing of medical workers is a war crime, plain and simple," said Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International. "These autopsy findings raise profoundly disturbing questions that demand immediate answers."
United Nations officials have been particularly vocal, with one senior official stating that the rescue workers were "executed one by one," based on evidence gathered after the bodies were exhumed.
Expert Analysis Points to Deliberate Targeting
Human rights experts and forensic specialists examining the evidence suggest the pattern of injuries indicates deliberate targeting rather than accidental engagement or crossfire.
"Multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper body are consistent with intentional killing, not warning shots or attempts to disable vehicles," explained Dr. Michael Pollanen, a forensic pathologist not involved in the autopsies but who reviewed the published findings. "Such injuries raise serious concerns about the intent behind these shootings."
Audio analysis conducted by CNN determined that Israeli troops fired approximately 100 shots during the attack, from as close as 12 meters away, further challenging the notion that this was a case of mistaken identity BBC7.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz, in a strongly-worded editorial, has called for an external probe into the killings, stating that "an Israeli army investigation offers no assurance that the truth will be revealed—if anything, it signals the likelihood of a whitewash" Haaretz8.
Future Implications for the Conflict and Humanitarian Operations
The killing of rescue workers has profound implications for humanitarian operations in Gaza. Aid organizations have expressed growing concern about their ability to operate safely, with Doctors Without Borders warning that Gaza is becoming a "mass grave for Palestinians" amid ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of severe humanitarian crisis, with aid supplies including food, fuel, water, and medicine reportedly blocked from entering Gaza since March 2, according to The Guardian. At least 335 health workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the World Health Organization.
Legal experts suggest the incident could potentially lead to charges before the International Criminal Court, which is already investigating alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories.
"These autopsy findings will be central to any war crimes investigation," said Balkees Jarrah, associate director of the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch. "The deliberate targeting of clearly identified medical personnel is among the most serious violations of the laws of war."
As international pressure mounts for a credible investigation, will Israel allow external scrutiny of its military operations in Gaza, or will this incident—like many before it—fade from headlines without full accountability
