• Israeli military admits to 'professional failures' in the shooting of 15 emergency workers in Gaza.
• Investigation revealed operational misunderstandings and violations of orders.
• A deputy commander has been dismissed for providing an inaccurate report of the incident.

The Israeli military admitted to several professional failures in its internal review of the killing of 15 emergency responders in Gaza on March 23. The military stated that there were breaches of orders, culminating in the tragic event, but emphasized that there was no attempt to conceal the incident, despite disciplinary measures being taken against a field commander who submitted an inaccurate report, according to Reuters.

The inquiry examined the events in Rafah, where paramedics and other rescue personnel were killed while responding to distress calls related to Israeli airstrikes. Initial claims by the military suggested the responders had approached in vehicles without emergency signals, but subsequent findings—including video evidence from a victim's mobile phone—contradicted this narrative, as the vehicles were clearly marked and had their lights activated, reports CBS News.

The military investigation concluded that the troops involved believed they were responding to a legitimate threat, referring to what was described as an 'operational misunderstanding'. Additionally, a commander was reprimanded for failing to properly assess the situation, while the deputy commander faced dismissal for providing an incomplete report about the incident, which was characterized by the military as a breach of orders during a combat setting, as observed by BBC.

Video evidence played a significant role in shaping the findings, revealing that soldiers opened fire even after the emergency vehicles had been identified as such. The military's earlier assertions that indicated the vehicles were suspicious were retracted following the video’s disclosure. An astonishing detail includes the grim aftermath, as responders recovered the bodies buried in a mass grave and confirmed that the vehicles had been crushed, which the military described as a regrettable decision taken in the chaotic context of conflict, according to New York Times.

The military stated that the deputy commander inaccurately assessed the approach of the vehicles as a potential threat, leading to the firing of weapons in the direction of those responding to injuries. It was noted that an hour prior, troops had fired on another vehicle believed to be associated with Hamas, which further colored their subsequent judgment, according to Channel News Asia.

The army has faced significant criticism for the incident and the broader implications for its engagement rules, with calls for accountability and comprehensive investigations into military operations in conflict zones. The situation represents not just a local tragedy but a concern for international humanitarian standards during armed conflicts, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region, as suggested by Middle East Eye.