The Israeli military has released its investigation into the deadly attack on an aid convoy in Gaza last month.
The incident occurred on April 23, 2024.
The convoy included vehicles from the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the United Nations.
Israeli soldiers opened fire, killing 15 people, including 14 aid workers and one UN staff member.
Investigation Findings
The Israeli military blamed “operational misunderstanding” for the attack.
They claimed their soldiers thought they were facing a threat from enemy forces.
The investigation found that six of those killed were Hamas members.
However, no evidence was provided to support this claim.
The convoy was clearly marked as an emergency response team, with flashing lights and signs indicating their affiliation.
The attack happened in an area described by the Israeli military as a “dangerous and hostile combat zone”.
Local commanders felt an immediate threat when the convoy approached quickly.
Factors Contributing to the Attack
The Israeli military cited “poor visibility” as a factor in the attack.
This made it hard for local commanders to identify the convoy as an ambulance.
The killing of the UN staff member was described as a “violation of combat orders”.
Initially, the Israeli military claimed the convoy was suspiciously driving at night without headlights or warning signals.
They also said it hadn’t coordinated with the military beforehand.
However, a video recorded just before the attack showed the convoy with its headlights and emergency signals on.
This contradicted the initial Israeli account, and they later acknowledged the incident as a mistake.
The Israeli military also explained that they buried the bodies under sand to protect them from wild animals.
The vehicles were removed and buried the next day to clear the road.
The bodies were found a week later.
The BBC reported on the incident.
