International Community Urged to Stand in Solidarity with Palestinian Medical Workers After 15 Killed by Israeli forces
2 April, 2025
New Delhi; The nightmare that Palestinians have endured for decades under Israel’s brutal occupation continues, sparing no one—children, women, the elderly—nor the medical sector, international aid workers, or even the environment.
On March 23, fifteen medics and emergency responders—including members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Civil Defense, and a United Nations employee—lost contact while on a noble mission to rescue injured civilians in southern Rafah. The Israeli occupation army—unequivocally and unconditionally backed by the U.S.—executed them in yet another blatant war crime.
Following a complex, week-long search operation, their bodies were discovered buried in a mass grave, along with their vehicles, which had been plowed over by Israeli military bulldozers. The PRCS confirmed that the slain medics and their vehicles were clearly marked as medical and humanitarian personnel. Some were found with their hands bound, their bodies bearing signs of head and chest injuries—before being buried in a deep pit in an attempt to cover up the crime.
Medical rescue teams, including the Red Crescent, paramedics, and Civil Defense, are fully protected under international law, the Geneva Conventions, and international humanitarian law. Yet, Israel—shielded by the U.S., which routinely disregards international law—continues to violate these protections with complete impunity.
We call on the international community to take a firm and unequivocal stand in condemning Israel, the occupying power, for its crimes. We also urge the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its voice in condemnation and hold Israel accountable for its flagrant violations of international law and its obligations as an occupying power.
Furthermore, we call upon all Indian medical organizations that share the same humanitarian values as their Palestinian counterparts to stand in solidarity. We urge them to raise their voices and show unwavering support for Palestinian medical workers who courageously carry out their noble yet deadly mission, upholding the highest principles of their profession.
It is not enough to condemn the crime itself; there must be a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the perpetrator—Israel.
Embassy of the State of Palestine to Republic of India
April 2, 2025