Initially, Israel claimed that the convoy lacked prior coordination and had no headlights or emergency lights on. But when verified footage from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) was released, clearly showing marked ambulances with flashing lights, the Israeli explanation was withdrawn. The Israeli military then admitted that its initial explanation was incorrect – and, as it later turned out, a direct lie.

According to Reuters and Politico, the conflicting explanations and the visual evidence “raise serious questions about the military’s actions” and have led to calls for an independent investigation. The Guardian described the attack as “a horrifying war crime.” The combination of Israel’s public admission and the damning documentation points to a violation of international humanitarian law and a responsibility that can no longer be ignored.

The 15 aid workers – eight from PRCS, six from the Palestinian Civil Defense, and one UN employee – were killed by Israeli soldiers while participating in a rescue operation in Rafah in southern Gaza, where Israel had just conducted bombings.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz publicly confirmed on March 31 that Israeli forces were behind the attack. He stated that Israeli troops opened fire on a number of vehicles in Rafah, including ambulances and fire trucks, claiming the vehicles arrived uncoordinated and without lights or sirens. This statement, reported by international media, marked the first official acknowledgment that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were responsible for the killings.

But that explanation quickly fell apart.

On April 6, PRCS released video footage that completely undermined Israel’s version. The footage, recovered from the phone of one of the deceased aid workers, shows the convoy of ambulances clearly marked with PRCS logos, with emergency lights and sirens activated. The graphic video also shows the convoy being shot at.

Israel initially claimed that soldiers were targeting “terrorists” in “suspicious vehicles,” but the footage clearly shows marked ambulances. It also documents that the aid workers wore uniforms and carried medical equipment. There were no visible weapons or militant activity. Israel’s explanation was not just inadequate – it proved to be outright false.

After the video was made public, the Israeli military changed its stance. An IDF spokesperson admitted that the original explanation was incorrect: “What we now understand is that the person who gave the initial explanation was mistaken.” Israel has since promised an internal investigation. But the damage is done: Israel has acknowledged that it opened fire on ambulances – and that the explanation for why was untrue.

The bodies of eight Palestinian healthcare workers killed by Israel have been found in a grave in Gaza.

On March 31, several international media outlets, including Reuters, AP, and The Guardian, reported that the bodies of the 15 aid workers were found in a mass grave in Rafah. PRCS announced that several of the victims were still wearing their uniforms and gloves, and that the ambulances had been destroyed and apparently buried as well. Some of the victims were found with their hands and feet bound, and with clear gunshot wounds to the body and head.

According to Associated Press, the discovery was based on information gathered by PRCS and UN staff in the area.

Ulrik Graff, chief legal advisor at the Center for Operational Law at the Danish Defence Academy, assessed the case and stated clearly on April 6 on the program P1 Morgen:

What we are seeing is a very, very serious war crime.

According to Graff, attacks on aid workers – who are protected by international humanitarian law – are a clear violation that should be investigated and prosecuted.

The case of the 15 killed aid workers raises serious questions about whether international law and order truly have the ability and will to respond when the protection of specific humanitarian actors is disregarded.

Israel’s admission of the attack and the proven falsehoods in their initial explanation – documented by video and confirmed by their own statements – make it difficult to describe this as a military mistake.

It is now up to the international community – including Denmark – to prove that international law is not a principle invoked only when convenient. If Denmark wishes to remain a credible rule-of-law state and humanitarian actor, its government and Parliament must take a clear and firm stance. A public condemnation is not enough – accountability, independent investigation, and consequences must be demanded.

The international community now faces a serious task: to show that it is international law – not war crimes – that prevails.