Bodies of 15 aid workers retrieved from mass grave in Rafah, Gaza

In Rafah, Gaza, a mass grave containing the bodies of 15 humanitarian and medical workers has been uncovered, sparking outrage from international aid organizations and the UN. The victims, including members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Civil Defense, and a UN employee, were reportedly killed by Israeli forces who mistook their marked ambulances and emergency vehicles for militant cover. Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), condemned the attacks, emphasizing that health workers should never be targeted. Recovery efforts involved a week-long operation to excavate the buried bodies, many of which were found still in their uniforms. Aid organizations have labeled the incident as a potential war crime and a tragedy for humanitarian efforts. The Israeli military defended its actions by claiming the ambulances were used by militant groups, raising significant concerns about the protection of medical personnel in conflict zones.