Israel Admits Hitting Ambulance, 15 Killed

By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos

JERUSALEM/GAZA (Worthy News) – Israel has acknowledged that its forces hit an ambulance in Gaza, killing more than a dozen people, but said Hamas fighters used it.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said 15 people were killed when “an ambulance” was hit outside Gaza City’s biggest hospital.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry initially had nearly similar figures about those who died in the blast outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, which Israeli forces have encircled.

Among those killed at the entrance of the hospital in Gaza City, was the son of Salama Maruf, the head of Hamas’ information office, Hamas affiliated media reported.

A Hamas statement said Israeli forces targeted “a convoy” of ambulances “which was transporting the wounded” from Al-Shifa towards Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

However, Israeli authorities and even the Palestinian Red Crescent suggested a specific ambulance was targeted.

Graphic videos showed severely injured and possibly dead people lying outside the hospital, but it was difficult to verify or independently how they died.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there will be “no temporary ceasefire” with Hamas in Gaza “until all“ Israeli hostages are released.

He rejected calls by visiting U.S. Secretary Anthony Blinken for a pause in fighting that he said would help the hostages and allow the arrival of humanitarian aid.

Israel began bombing Gaza after Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 200 others.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 9,000 people have been killed in the Strip since October 7.

Israel has accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields by deliberately placing its weapons and fighters among innocent residents. The group has also been building tunnels beneath civilian sites such as hospitals, according to Israeli and other sources.

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