Some of the Gaza medics killed by Israeli troops last month in an incident now under investigation by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were shot in the head and chest, according to autopsy reports obtained by The New York Times.
Investigation into the elimination of medics in Gaza reveals new details
Autopsies were conducted earlier this month by the head of forensic medicine at the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry and reviewed by a pathologist from Norway, the NYT reported.
The autopsies revealed that all 14 men killed were partially or fully dressed in Palestinian Red Crescent or civil defence uniforms at the time of the incident.
Eleven of the men had gunshot wounds, including six shot in the chest or back and four shot in the head, according to The NYT. Most of the men were shot multiple times, according to the publication.
The army still maintains that at least six of those killed have been posthumously identified as Hamas militants, denies that any of those killed were executed, and says troops did not try to cover up the incident but instead informed the UN of the location of the grave where they buried the medics.
An Israeli airstrike struck the northern gate of the Kuwait Field Hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing a medic and wounding nine others – all patients and paramedics, said a spokesman for the hospital in the Muwasi neighbourhood, where hundreds of thousands of people have taken shelter in sprawling tent camps. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Israel has bombed and raided hospitals throughout the 18-month Gaza war, accusing Hamas militants of hiding in them or using them for military purposes. Hospital officials deny the allegations and accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilians and destroying Gaza’s health care system.
Macron urges Netanyahu to end Gaza suffering and open aid corridors
French President Emmanuel Macron reported a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he called for an end to civilian suffering in Gaza.
“Disarming Hamas is an important priority, as is the release of all captives,” Macron wrote on X. He also emphasised that the only path to their release is a ceasefire.
The French leader reiterated support for the security of Israel and its citizens, but noted that humanitarian aid must flow unimpeded into Gaza.
“I saw first-hand in El Arish (Egypt) that the humanitarian aid is blocked at the other end of the border. It must reach the civilians as soon as possible. The suffering of the civilians of Gaza must end,” Macron said.
Netanyahu’s son blasted Macron on social media
The talk came amid a scandal caused by remarks made by Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israel’s prime minister. On X, he reacted sharply to Macron’s words about the possible recognition of Palestine:
“Go to hell! Yes to the independence of New Caledonia! Yes to the independence to French Polynesia and to the independence of Corsica! To the independence of the Basque Country! Yes to the independence of French Guiana!”
Benjamin Netanyahu responded by calling his son’s remarks “unacceptable,” but added that Yair is “a true Zionist who sincerely cares about the future of his country.”
Earlier, in an interview with France 5 TV following his visit to Egypt, Emmanuel Macron said that France should move towards recognising Palestine, and this could happen in the coming months. He specified that Paris will finalise the process within the framework of the international two-state conference that France intends to hold together with Saudi Arabia.
Since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Palestine has already been recognised by 146 states, including Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Armenia, as well as the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados.
