In yet another harrowing chapter of Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, reports have emerged accusing the Golani Brigade of orchestrating a brutal massacre against humanitarian teams in Rafah. The operation, which took place in March, led to the deaths of 15 first responders—paramedics and civil defence workers—many of whom had been attempting to reach the wounded amid relentless bombardment.

According to The Guardian, Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade opened fire on two ambulance convoys in the southern city of Rafah. The Israeli army has admitted to the shooting, and to the temporary burial of the victims in a mass grave—later exhumed by the United Nations. However, it continues to deny allegations of deliberate execution. Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture: bodies discovered with hands or legs tied, gunshot wounds to the head and chest at close range—clear signs of extrajudicial killing.

Behind the Golani unit stands Brigadier General Yehuda Fuchs, a commander already facing serious accusations of indifference to civilian life and misconduct from within his own ranks. Israeli media have quoted him stating, “There are no innocents in Gaza”—a chilling declaration echoed by video footage showing his officers instructing soldiers that “anyone you encounter there is an enemy.”

The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed the recovery of 14 bodies after an eight-day search, including eight medics, five rescuers, and a UN-affiliated staff member. These were individuals who had disappeared after being surrounded by Israeli forces—a disappearance now believed to have ended in summary execution.

What unfolded in Rafah is not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern. The Golani Brigade has repeatedly been implicated in war crimes throughout this war—targeting civilians, desecrating bodies, levelling homes, and openly promoting a campaign of annihilation. Even American outlets such as The New York Times have contradicted Israeli claims, confirming that aid vehicles were clearly marked when they were attacked.

The killing of medics—those who dedicate their lives to saving others—is not just a tragedy. It is a war crime. And it is yet another reminder that Gaza is not simply under siege—it is being systematically destroyed, body by body, hope by hope.