Israeli Military Admits Error in Deadly Gaza Strike on Rescue Convoy

We Got It Wrong": Israeli Military Admits Fault in Gaza Rescue Worker Strike Amid Global Outrage

In a striking admission that’s already echoing across diplomatic circles and media outlets worldwide, the Israeli military has acknowledged that its earlier narrative about the deadly March 23 strike in southern Gaza — which left 15 people dead, including what the United Nations identified as paramedics and rescue workers — was at least partially mistaken. That’s right — the official line initially shared with the world is now being walked back, with the military conceding key errors in the chaotic and deadly operation.

The revelation came during a press briefing Saturday evening, where an Israeli military official — who remained anonymous under army rules — shared fresh details about the incident. The official confirmed that the internal investigation is still underway, but early findings point to inaccuracies in the soldiers’ reports from the ground. And those inaccuracies? They’ve already sparked intense scrutiny and condemnation across the globe.

A Botched Ambush Operation?

Let’s rewind to the early morning hours of March 23. According to the military’s current version, Israeli reserve infantry troops were lying in ambush just north of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Around 4 a.m., they say they spotted and killed two individuals believed to be Hamas security personnel and detained a third. So far, that part of the story hasn’t changed.

But what happened next is where things get murky — and tragic.

Roughly two hours later, as the sun was beginning to rise, a convoy consisting of ambulances and a fire truck started moving toward the same area. Israeli forces were still in position. At that moment, they received a report from an overhead surveillance aircraft that the vehicles were approaching. Here’s the critical point: when the rescue workers exited their vehicles, the Israeli troops — believing more Hamas operatives had arrived — opened fire from a distance.

The military now admits that troops on the ground misread the situation.

Video Evidence Contradicts Initial Claims

And here’s where the story takes a sharp turn. The New York Times recently obtained a video clip that pokes a gaping hole in the military’s earlier account. The footage, pulled from the cellphone of one of the deceased paramedics found in a shallow grave, shows that the convoy — including the ambulances and the fire truck — was clearly marked and had emergency lights flashing.

This video flies in the face of the Israeli military’s initial claim that the vehicles were advancing “suspiciously” without headlights or any form of emergency signaling. That narrative now appears not only flawed but potentially misleading.

When pressed for answers on the contradiction, the military official simply stated that the initial report had been "mistaken." No further clarification was offered.

Who Were the Victims?

This is where things get even more complicated. The Israeli military now claims that at least six of the 15 people killed were Hamas operatives. However, they haven’t backed that claim with public evidence, citing the "classified nature" of their intelligence.

Just days earlier, Israel had asserted that nine of those killed were militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Yet, these statements stand in stark contrast to the positions of humanitarian organizations.

• The Palestine Red Crescent Society, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross have all strongly denied the Israeli claim.

• According to these organizations, every single person in that convoy was a humanitarian worker, responding to emergency calls in an active conflict zone.

• They emphasized that none of the victims were armed, and all were carrying out life-saving missions under international protection norms.

Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, president of the Red Crescent Society, even stated that the rescue workers appeared to have been “targeted from very close range.” That’s a chilling detail and one that raises serious questions about how such a tragic misfire could happen — and how it could be repeated if left unaddressed.

The Scene of the Attack: A Shallow Mass Grave

Perhaps one of the most haunting aspects of this story is what rescue teams discovered a week later on March 30. Fifteen bodies — most of them charred or badly injured — were found in a shallow mass grave. Crushed ambulances and a vehicle emblazoned with the unmistakable U.N. logo were buried with them.

Among the deceased were:

• 10 Red Crescent medical workers

• 6 Gaza civil defense emergency responders

• 1 U.N. staff member

The cellphone video that helped shed light on the reality of the attack was found in the pocket of one of those very paramedics.

Confusion, Chaos, or Cover-Up?

The military has thus far not commented on whether any of the victims were carrying weapons, though the official briefing did highlight a common Israeli assertion: that Hamas operatives frequently disguise themselves as civilians and hide in places like hospitals and schools. This, they argue, makes on-the-ground decision-making extremely complex.

But even if that’s true, international humanitarian law is clear — medical workers and rescue vehicles are to be protected, not presumed guilty. The Red Crescent and U.N. maintain that the individuals were clearly identified as aid workers and posed no threat to Israeli forces.

Moreover, the Red Crescent reported that the convoy had originally set out around 3:30 a.m. in response to earlier shelling by Israeli forces. An ambulance and its crew were hit first. That triggered a domino effect of other ambulances and even a U.N. vehicle heading to the scene in hopes of rescuing their injured colleagues. Tragically, none of them would return.

Global Reaction and What Comes Next

This incident has reignited international criticism of Israeli military conduct in Gaza — particularly when it comes to distinguishing combatants from civilians in a densely populated war zone. With a growing body count of aid workers and medics, human rights groups and global leaders are once again calling for stricter accountability.

And yet, the Israeli military remains tight-lipped about disciplinary actions or whether those responsible for the mistaken strike will face any consequences.

Meanwhile, one medic is still missing, and another was reportedly detained by Israeli forces — though later released. The Red Crescent continues to demand transparency and justice for their fallen team members.

Key Takeaways:

• Israeli military admits its initial account of the March 23 strike was “mistaken.”

• Video evidence shows ambulances and a fire truck clearly marked with emergency lights, contradicting military claims.

• 15 rescue workers, including medics and a U.N. employee, were killed — and later found buried in a mass grave.

• No confirmed evidence has been provided that the victims were militants.

• Global organizations insist the victims were humanitarian workers who posed no threat.