New report into killing of medics in Gaza 'contradicts IDF's account'

New developments in the killing of 15 Palestinian medics and rescue workers by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip last month have come to light, with evidence reportedly contradicting the Israel Defense Forces' claim that soldiers did not fire indiscriminately at the medical workers.

- Bethan McKernan

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Wednesday that its analysis of the IDF's own materials collected as part of an internal investigation into the incident contradicted the army's claim that soldiers did not shoot indiscriminately at Palestinian ambulances and a fire engine in the early hours of 23 March.

Instead, Haaretz said, soldiers fired continuously at the vehicles for three-and-a-half minutes from close range despite the aid workers' attempts to identify themselves.

The family of Assad al-Nsasrah, one of two survivors of the attack, filed a petition on Wednesday with Israel's high court seeking details of his detention in Israel. Israeli authorities confirmed Nsasrah was in custody last week, but under emergency war legislation the whereabouts of detainees from Gaza can be kept secret and they can be barred from meeting a lawyer for 45 days. Nsasrah is currently not allowed legal counsel until 7 May.