Israel admits air attack on ambulance in Gaza Strip

Israel assumed responsibility for an attack outside the Al-Shifa Hospital, in the city of Gaza, this Friday (3).

Videos from the scene show several people bloodied and spread out on the ground near an ambulance.

According to health authorities under Hamas command, 15 people were killed and another 50 were injured.

In a statement, Israel said it targeted the vehicle because it was being used by Hamas.

“An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) aircraft struck an ambulance that was identified by the forces as being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in the vicinity of its position in the battle zone,” it said in a statement.

“Several Hamas terrorist operatives were killed in the attack. We have information that demonstrates that Hamas’ method of operation is to transfer terrorist agents and weapons in ambulances.”

A spokesman for the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on Friday that the ambulance was in a medical convoy from the hospital, traveling to the Rafah border crossing, and informed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about the change.

The ICRC confirmed it was aware of the scheduled movement of a convoy of vehicles transporting injured patients from northern Gaza to the south.

“We acknowledge having received the request from Gaza (Ministry of Health) to accompany the convoy that evacuates the injured from the northern part of Gaza”, states the entity’s statement.

It is unclear whether the Red Cross has arranged for a representative to accompany the convoy.

“Any involvement by the ICRC in the evacuation of civilians from an area requires the parties’ agreement on the exact terms and conditions so that it can be done safely and then with the full consent of the evacuees,” the organization said.

*Published by Douglas Porto