Israel has finally admitted to carrying out an airstrike on an ambulance near a hospital in the Gaza city of Beit Hanoun, claiming that a terrorist target had been located in the ambulance. This airstrike has resulted in reportedly dozens of casualties, as eyewitnesses claim there were people inside the ambulance at the time of the airstrike.
The strike happened on Tuesday, January 15 and left at least ten dead and dozens injured. This admission of guilt by the Israeli Defense Forces comes days after the initial incident, which left locals and the international community in shock. Reports said that the victims of this airstrike included paramedics and other medical workers, including eight children.
The IDF said it had struck a target in the area, claiming that it had received intelligence that the ambulance was carrying a terrorist suspect, which was later revealed to be false. This admission of guilt comes amid intense criticism from human rights groups and international organizations, who have condemned the Israeli forces for carrying out the airstrike.
The United Nations Security Council has also called for an independent investigationinto the incident and urged for caution to be taken by all parties to ensure that civilians aren’t targeted in the ongoing conflict.
Though the IDF’s admission of the airstrike is appreciated, the tragedy of it still stands. Dozens of innocent civilians were killed and wounded as a result of this airstrike and the world must not forget that. Moving forward, it is important that the international community calls for an end to the violence against civilians, whether in Gaza or anywhere else.