Israel Refutes Gaza Ambulance Bombing, Medic Deaths

The Israeli military categorically refuted allegations on Thursday that it had targeted an ambulance in the central Gaza Strip the previous day, resulting in the tragic loss of four medics and two other individuals.

‘A review was conducted based on the details provided to the IDF (Israeli military) which shows that no strike was carried out in the described area,’ the army said in a statement to AFP.

The roof of the ambulance was completely destroyed and part of the vehicle was crushed, AFP photos showed.

Jagan Chapagain, the head of the International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, called the attack “unacceptable” in a social media post and said, “I strongly condemn their killing.”

Crowds of mourners gathered Thursday for the funerals of the medics, a shredded and bloodied Palestinian Red Crescent uniform placed atop one of the white shrouds.

The Red Crescent said the ambulance had been on Salah al-Din Road, a highway running north-south through the Gaza Strip that has in the past been used by thousands of Palestinians fleeing the Israeli military advance.

The health ministry in Gaza, under Hamas administration, stated on Wednesday afternoon that several individuals were killed in an Israeli strike near a hospital in Deir al-Balah.

Read also: Blinken Returns To Middle East To Hold Tough Gaza Talks

The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in a tragic toll, with the latest figures from the Gaza health ministry indicating that over 23,350 lives have been lost, predominantly among civilians.

The health ministry reported devastating statistics before Wednesday’s ambulance strike, revealing the destruction of over 120 ambulances and the tragic loss of at least 326 healthcare professionals since the commencement of the conflict.

A bloody Hamas offensive on Israel on October 7 marked the beginning of the war, resulting in around 1,140 deaths, primarily civilians, according to an AFP count based on official figures.

The Israeli military acknowledges the heavy toll, revealing that 186 soldiers have lost their lives in the fierce fighting in Gaza.

Africa Today News, New York 

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