Grief and Outrage: The Story of a Gaza Medic Killed Amid Conflict

As the conflict continues in Gaza, the heart-wrenching story of paramedic Rifaat Radwan’s death emerges, highlighting the dangers faced by medical personnel. His mother recounts their tragic loss amid a call for accountability and justice from the Red Crescent.

In a heartrending expression of loss, Hajjah Umm Mohammed recalls the moment she learned of her son, Rifaat Radwan, a 23-year-old paramedic, being killed during an incident in Gaza that claimed the lives of 15 emergency workers. "My heart and soul died when Rifaat was killed," she confesses, reflecting on the tragic event that took place on March 23, when Rifaat's ambulance was struck while responding to a call for help in Rafah.

Rifaat had been working tirelessly with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) since the outbreak of renewed military actions following Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. His mother recalls how he would routinely traverse Gaza, a dedicated humanitarian keen on aiding anyone in need. “He even transported the wounded across the Rafah border for medical care,” she shares, before describing the fateful day when he was called to assist victims of an Israeli airstrike.

While the Israeli military initially disputed the circumstances, claiming the ambulance convoy operated without lights and posed a threat, newly uncovered footage revealed that the emergency vehicles were indeed illuminated. "Forgive me, mother... this is the path I chose to help people," Rifaat’s premonitory message recorded on his phone haunts Umm Mohammed, who had entrusted her son's life to God every day he worked.

After his death, instead of celebrating Eid, Umm Mohammed instead found herself collecting her son's remains for burial. Despite the devastating nature of his passing, the PRCS is pressing for recognition of the incident as a "war crime," demanding an independent investigation that recognizes the unlawful targeting of medics amidst conflict.

Munther Abed, another paramedic who survived the attack, provided a harrowing account of the shooting while detailing the chaos that ensued. “I dropped to the floor in the back of the vehicle and didn’t hear any sound from my colleagues except their death gasps,” he recounted, grieving for the loss of friends and colleagues. Munther endured a 15-hour interrogation following the incident, which he described as excruciating both physically and emotionally.

The PRCS vehemently refutes claims that the area was classified as a danger zone, emphasizing that humanitarian workers must be protected as per international law. They insist that the deaths of Rifaat and his colleagues present clear evidence of deliberate targeting of aid workers.

As the clashes continue in Gaza, their implications remain vast. The toll has risen to over 50,750 individuals lost since the commencement of hostilities in 2023. The Israeli Defense Forces have promised further investigation into the events surrounding the medic’s deaths, but for families like Umm Mohammed's, time is of the essence as they seek justice for their loved ones and assurance that such tragedies will not repeat.