PRCS reports deaths of two paramedics in Israeli airstrike on Rafah

In a statement posted on X, PRCS confirmed that paramedics Haitham Tubasi and Suhail Hassouna were killed by an Israeli airstrike while performing their humanitarian duties in the Tal al-Sultan area of Rafah. The organization condemned the attack, emphasizing that their ambulance was directly targeted by the Israeli army.

This tragic incident is part of an ongoing conflict that has devastated Gaza. According to Palestinian sources, more than 117,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded, including many children and women, with approximately 10,000 missing. The massive destruction has led to famine, further claiming the lives of children and the elderly.

In the past 48 hours alone, Israeli forces have conducted a series of airstrikes on areas in Rafah previously deemed "safe," resulting in the deaths of 72 Palestinians according to local sources and 200 as reported by a UN official. The discrepancy in figures is attributed to the operational shutdown of Rafah’s hospitals and the lack of medical intervention for many critically injured individuals.

Since the start of the genocide, the Israeli military has systematically targeted Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, rendering many hospitals non-operational. This has led to the deaths of numerous wounded and ill individuals, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

For the 18th consecutive year, Gaza remains under a severe Israeli blockade, which has forced about two million of its 2.3 million residents to flee under catastrophic conditions. The population faces extreme shortages of food, water, and medicine.

Despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt its ground offensive in Rafah and take measures to prevent genocide and improve humanitarian conditions, Israel continues its military operations. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also signaled its intent to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire as the conflict persists, with international legal bodies calling for immediate action to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities. The death of PRCS paramedics underscores the severe risks faced by humanitarian workers in the region. (ILKHA)