On March 18, 2025, in Rafah, Gaza, Israeli troops opened fire on a convoy of emergency vehicles, killing 15 Palestinian aid workers in an incident thoroughly investigated by independent bodies. The emergency vehicles, which included five ambulances and a fire truck, were clearly marked and engaged in the humanitarian effort of collecting wounded civilians when they were targeted. Observers noted that this attack was especially egregious given the presence of emergency lights and markings on the vehicles.

The investigative report, produced by Forensic Architecture and Earshot, employed a range of investigative techniques, including analyzing audio recordings, satellite imagery, and video footage, augmented by witness testimonies to reconstruct the incident. The findings reveal a systematic shooting at the emergency responders, with several workers shot at close range, raising significant ethical concerns about the conduct of Israeli forces during military operations in populated areas.

This incident sheds light on the worsening conditions for Palestinian medics and humanitarian workers in Gaza, highlighting the dangers they face in carrying out their duties amidst ongoing military operations. Such occurrences could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region, as reliance on international humanitarian assistance becomes increasingly critical against the backdrop of continued violence and lack of protection for medical teams.