On March 23, 2025, at 4:20 am, a Red Crescent ambulance responding to an airstrike in Rafah was fired upon by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of two paramedics.

A subsequent convoy comprising ambulances and other humanitarian vehicles aimed to recover the bodies but was also targeted, leading to several vehicles reported missing.

This incident occurred just six days after Israel had resumed its military operations against Hamas and other groups in Gaza, marking the end of a two-month ceasefire.

By March 24, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported no communication with the personnel involved in the convoy, citing barriers created by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Efforts to reach the site by officials from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on March 26 were obstructed as the team witnessed further violence.

The OCHA team finally accessed the location on March 27, discovering vehicles crushed and partially buried.

Recovery efforts were hampered by safety concerns due to ongoing conflict.

The next day, the civil defense agency confirmed the recovery of more bodies at the site, leading to fears of a larger crisis involving health workers.

On March 30, OCHA officials, along with Red Crescent workers, uncovered a mass grave containing the bodies of eight Red Crescent workers, including one UN staff member.

Concerns regarding the treatment of these victims arose as there were claims that some bodies exhibited signs of execution-style killings.

The IDF defended its actions, citing suspicions about the convoy’s intentions but provided no evidence to substantiate claims that militants were involved among the victims.

As of April 1, two witnesses reported that some bodies recovered had been found with their hands or feet tied, indicating they may have been killed after being detained.

Eyewitness accounts also described Israeli soldiers instructing paramedics to restrain surviving members from the convoy during the confrontation.

By April 2, a forensics consultant reported evidence suggestive of execution-style killings of certain individuals.

In response, the UK’s Foreign Secretary highlighted the dangers humanitarian workers face in Gaza, urging accountability for the violence.

On April 3, the IDF announced it was investigating the incident, reiterating its stance that they had engaged enemies who were perceived to threaten their forces.

According to a survivor, the chaos included multiple ambulances approaching under gunfire, and military activities had buried the wreckage of the humanitarian convoy.

Additionally, the survivor reported witnessing another Red Crescent worker alive in Israeli custody.

Progressing into April, the humanitarian crisis intensified as further military incursions were announced by Israeli officials, with the IDF confirming its plans to incorporate significant territories of Gaza into security zones.

The ongoing military actions and clashes have compounded a pre-existing humanitarian catastrophe, exacerbating conditions for over two million residents, many of whom now face severe shortages of essential resources.

As of early April, reports indicate that the total casualty count has surpassed 50,000, primarily affecting civilians, including children and women, amid extensive displacement across various regions of Gaza.

In light of worsening conditions, humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm over the lack of access to clean water and food supplies, emphasizing the necessity for international intervention to mitigate the crisis on the ground.