Fourteen aid workers in Gaza were allegedly executed by Israeli forces while on a humanitarian mission, as bodies found with hands bound and execution-style bullet wounds have sparked global outrage and demands for justice.
Quick Takes
- 14 aid workers including paramedics and Civil Defense members were found dead in Gaza with evidence suggesting execution-style killings
- Bodies showed signs of deliberate targeting, with some found with hands bound and shot in the head and chest
- Israeli forces claimed they targeted vehicles believed to be used by Hamas, while survivors report the ambulances followed safety protocols
- The incident has sparked international outrage and calls for accountability, as aid workers should have immunity under international law
- The United Nations issued a rare direct accusation against Israel for killing humanitarian workers
Discovery of Mass Grave Reveals Disturbing Evidence
A mass grave discovered near Rafah, Gaza has revealed the bodies of 14 aid workers, including paramedics and Civil Defense members, who were reportedly killed by Israeli forces. Forensic examination indicates the victims were shot at close range with intentional bullet placements consistent with execution-style killings. The bodies were recovered after a five-day negotiation for safe passage, with some found with their hands bound, according to Palestinian officials. Most victims were part of a rescue mission dispatched to help injured civilians and an initial ambulance crew that had been hit by Israeli shelling.
One victim, Anwar al-Attar, was a dedicated first responder whose body was found with his Civil Defense vest and helmet punctured by over 20 bullet holes. His wife’s testimony highlights his unwavering commitment to humanitarian work despite being injured three times during the ongoing conflict.
The latest horror out of Gaza shows both sides of the conflict continuing to openly flout intl rules of war with the IDF killing clearly identified paramedics & UN aid workers while Hamas still refuses to release the remaining hostages.
How can this be allowed to continue pic.twitter.com/JOziSNadwL
— David Pocock (@DavidPocock) March 31, 2025
Forensic Evidence and Witness Accounts
Forensic doctor Ahmad Dhaher’s examination of the bodies revealed disturbing patterns consistent with execution rather than combat casualties. According to his findings, the victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds, primarily to the head and chest, fired at close range. “All cases had been shot with multiple bullets, except for one, which could not be determined due to the body being mutilated by animals like dogs, leaving it almost as just a skeleton,” Dhaher reported. This pattern of injuries has fueled accusations that the aid workers were deliberately targeted.
Munther Abed, the sole survivor of the incident, has contradicted Israeli military claims about the circumstances of the attack. According to Abed, the ambulances followed all safety protocols and were clearly marked with their lights on. His testimony challenges the Israeli Defense Forces’ assertion that the vehicles were advancing suspiciously, which they used to justify their lethal response. Witnesses reported seeing bodies with tied hands and legs, suggesting detention before execution, though this could not be definitively confirmed due to decomposition.
Conflicting Accounts and International Response
The Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinian authorities have presented conflicting narratives of the incident. Israeli forces claim the ambulances were advancing suspiciously and contained Hamas operatives. However, aid organizations have fiercely rejected the claim, stating that all vehicles were clearly marked with proper lighting and followed standard safety protocols for humanitarian missions. This discrepancy has become central to international calls for an independent investigation.
The United Nations has taken the unusual step of directly accusing Israel of killing humanitarian workers. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher demanded answers and justice, emphasizing that the victims were killed while attempting to save lives. The UK foreign secretary David Lammy has labeled Gaza as the deadliest place for humanitarian workers globally, calling for accountability. According to The Guardian, over 1,000 medical staff have died in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023, with many hospitals destroyed.
