UN humanitarian officials have condemned the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza by Israeli forces, calling for an independent investigation into Israel's systematic attack on emergency response teams.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the victims—members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Palestinian Civil Defence (PCD), and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)—were deliberately targeted while carrying out rescue operations in Rafah on March 23. Their bodies were only recovered on March 30 after a prolonged search operation.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke expressed shock and outrage at the killings, stating, “This is a huge blow to us… These people were shot.” OCHA’s top official in the Palestinian territories, Jonathan Whittall, detailed how humanitarian teams had attempted to rescue injured individuals in Rafah but came under Israeli fire. Five ambulances, a fire truck, and even a UN vehicle dispatched to the scene were struck by Israeli forces.

“Days of negotiations with Israeli authorities were needed before access was granted to retrieve the bodies,” Whittall revealed, adding that some bodies were found buried beneath the rubble of destroyed emergency vehicles.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the attack as “deeply disturbing” and demanded an independent investigation. “This raises significant questions regarding the conduct of the Israeli army,” he stated. Meanwhile, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher insisted on receiving “answers and justice” for the slain aid workers.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also reiterated its call for information about the fate of the missing PRCS worker, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The killings come amid worsening conditions in Gaza, with the UN warning that Israeli military actions in the besieged enclave “bear the hallmarks of atrocity crimes.” UNICEF spokesperson James Elder reported that since March 18, when Israel resumed heavy bombardments, an average of 100 Palestinian children have been killed or maimed daily.

UN agencies have also sounded the alarm over the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. More than half of PRCS ambulance teams are out of operation due to Israeli attacks and fuel shortages. Hospitals are overwhelmed, running out of essential medicines and supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe.

Despite repeated calls for accountability, the Israeli government has yet to provide explanations for the targeted attacks on humanitarian personnel. OCHA’s Laerke warned that without accountability, such violations of international humanitarian law would continue unchecked.

“We engage with Israeli authorities daily on critical issues, including reopening crossings for aid,” Laerke said. “While this is a huge blow to us on all levels, the crisis itself just moves on and gets worse every day.”

The UN and humanitarian organizations continue to demand justice for the victims, calling on the international community to ensure that Israel is held accountable for its actions in Gaza. (ILKHA)