Deputy Commander Dismissed Over Rafah Incident That Killed Paramedics and UN Workers

The IDF announced disciplinary measures following a controversial incident last month in which 15 Palestinians, including six Hamas operatives, paramedics, and a UNRWA worker, were killed by Israeli fire during an operation near Tel a-Sultan in Rafah. The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, approved recommendations from Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor to dismiss the deputy commander of the Golani Patrol, a major, and to issue a formal command reprimand to the commander of the 14th Reserve Brigade, a lieutenant colonel.

The high-profile event drew international condemnation and scrutiny after reports emerged that ambulances were fired upon and crushed, and humanitarian personnel were killed. In response, the General Staff's investigation mechanism, led by Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav Har-Even, conducted a comprehensive inquiry. The case has been transferred to the Military Prosecutor’s Office to assess whether a criminal investigation is warranted.

Key Findings: Misidentification and Command Failures

The incident occurred as IDF troops were withdrawing from Tel a-Sultan as part of a siege on Rafah, during a limited ground operation launched after the breakdown of the ceasefire with Hamas. According to the investigation, the Golani reconnaissance unit mistakenly opened fire on a convoy of vehicles and later a UN-marked truck, under the impression that they were part of an imminent Hamas threat.

The probe cited a series of operational errors, including:

• Lack of night vision and thermal equipment, which impaired identification.

• Misjudgment of flashing lights on a Palestinian fire truck.

• An incorrect decision to crush ambulances post-engagement.

• Failure to confirm targets, particularly during a pre-dawn encounter with unarmed individuals.

• The shooting of a UNRWA worker after the main engagement was deemed a violation of orders.

The investigation concluded that while there was no evidence of executions or war crimes, some decisions reflected poor judgment and negligence. One officer was found to have misled investigators, and additional disciplinary steps may be taken pending further inquiry.

Incident Timeline and Misjudged Engagements

At 3:57 AM, a large vehicle was mistakenly identified as a Hamas police truck and was targeted. Two occupants, later identified as Hamas operatives, were killed, while a third was detained and released after questioning.

By 5:06 AM, a second convoy of vehicles, including ambulances, approached the Israeli position. Due to limited visibility and lack of prior intelligence, the troops believed they were under attack and opened fire, killing multiple passengers, including medical workers.

At 5:18 AM, a white UNRWA-marked truck arrived. A staff member exited the vehicle and was shot, despite being unarmed. The General Staff defined this third fire round as a "mistake."

Aftermath and Global Backlash

The crushing of the ambulances—ordered by the 14th Brigade commander—was heavily criticized. The decision was made to clear the area for the evacuation of 2,000 Palestinians, 30 of whom were later identified as Hamas members. Additionally, the bodies of the deceased were covered with sand to prevent desecration by stray animals, as had occurred in previous battles.

The IDF stated that international humanitarian organizations were promptly notified, and body collection was completed within a week, with Israeli coordination.

Reenactments and Evidence Collection

The investigation, which included video footage from drones, air surveillance, recorded communications, and recreations of the scene, found that soldiers had limited visibility from their ambush positions and acted under the perception of immediate threat. Testimonies from 24 soldiers and commanders involved were collected.

The IDF emphasized that despite errors, soldiers refrained from indiscriminate fire, evidenced by their sparing of two Palestinian fishermen and several passing vehicles during the operation.

Ongoing Legal and Disciplinary Review

Out of 355 abnormal incidents reviewed by the General Staff since the war began, 55 cases have been forwarded to the Military Prosecutor for review. The Rafah incident stands out due to the sensitive civilian casualties and the high-level disciplinary actions taken.

The IDF reiterated that the dismissed officer, who had returned to service from civilian life abroad, acted under pressure and believed he was facing a credible threat. However, mistakes in judgment, poor preparation, and failure to follow proper procedure led to a tragic outcome.