Red Crescent holds news conference on killing of paramedics
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has begun a news conference in el-Bireh in the occupied West Bank. The PRCS is demanding an independent investigation into Israel’s killing of paramedics in Gaza.
World beginning to understand who is telling the truth: PRCS
“We at PRCS have been accustomed to Israel’s false allegations and fabricated stories with regards to what goes on in the Gaza Strip,” the organisation’s president, Younis al-Khatib, says during the news conference.
“This involves the assassination of 15 PRCS members. However, we believe that the whole world, including media representatives, has now come to realise who is telling the truth.”
While the released video footage of Israel’s attack on the paramedics “was heart-wrenching and painful”, al-Khatib said it has several noticeable elements that will be presented in the news conference.
PRCS president lists evidence of Israeli crimes that emerge from video of attack
Al-Khatib has listed evidence contained in the video footage showing Israeli soldiers killing Palestinian medics, contradicting Israel’s narrative about what happened:
- The ambulances had emergency lights on, and PRCS crew members were wearing emergency vests despite Israeli claims to the contrary.
- Israel directly opened fire on the ambulances. This is also confirmed by one survivor, who said the ambulances came under direct fire with no warning. He also spoke of having been used by Israeli officers as a “human shield” before being able to escape.
- Al-Khatib said Israel failed to prove even once that PRCS vehicles transported fighters in the past 15 years as Israel alleges.
- In the video, paramedics can be heard praying that the fuel in their ambulances would be enough to carry out their rescue mission. This shows how the siege imposed by Israel has been affecting rescue services and the levels of stress that staff are put through.
PRCS demands independent inquiry into killing of paramedics
The PRCS has called for an independent international investigation commission “to establish the facts and hold those responsible accountable” after Israel killed 15 medics in Gaza.
“It is no longer sufficient to speak of respecting the international law and Geneva convention,” PRCS president Younis al-Khatib said. “It is now required from the international community and the UN Security Council to implement the necessary punishment against all who are responsible.”
Al-Khatib also called on the international community to safeguard aid workers and prevent the targeting of hospitals, medical centres or ambulance vehicles.
He also requested that Israel disclose the whereabouts of PRCS staff who are still missing.
