Israel has admitted to mistakes in the killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza after footage contradicted the IDF’s claim that an emergency vehicle convoy had been acting “suspiciously”. The aid workers, eight of whom were Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) medics, were discovered in a “mass grave” after coming under fire from Israel‘s army near Rafah in southern Gaza on March 23.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially claimed a convoy of emergency vehicles including PRCS ambulances, a fire truck and a United Nations (UN) car, had approached waiting troops “suspiciously” with no headlights, flashing lights or planned co-ordination. However, mobile phone footage from one of the medics who was killed showed the vehicles travelling with flashing lights and logos clearly visible. After the video was shared with the Associated Press (AP), Israel backtracked on its initial account of the convoy approaching with no lights on, blaming the mistake on troops at the scene. The IDF said that at least six of the medics had links to Hamas, but provided no evidence for the claims.

The harrowing footaged showed the emergency vehicles stopping to help another ambulance that had previously been under fire – at which point Israel forces can be heard unleashing an onslaught of gunfire.

The paramedic behind the phone camera then said his final prayers before jumping out of the car and into the darkness as the sound of bullets continued to ring out.

Eight PRCS medics, one UN worker and six members of Gaza’s Civil Defence services were killed in the attack, with their bodies discovered by rescue workers in a “mass grave” a week later, according to Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Marwan Jilani, vice president of the PRCS, said the footage was found on a phone in the pocket of one of its workers who died in the shooting.

The IDF said it has launched a “thorough examination” of the attack, although groups including the Red Crescent have called for an independent investigation.

“The soldiers were unaware that the suspects were in fact unarmed medics,” Israel‘s army said. “The IDF acknowledges that its statement claiming that the ambulances had their lights off was incorrect and was based on the testimony from the soldiers in the incident.”

A statement also said the bodies had been put in a mass grave “to prevent wild dogs and other animals from eating their corpses”.

Israel has accused Hamas of transporting members in emergency vehicles including ambulances, using the supposed subterfuge as justification for targeting medical and civilian infrastructure.

While such accusations have been denied by medics, Israeli strikes have killed over 150 members of the Red Crescent and Civil Defence teams, according to the UN, as well as over 1,000 emergency workers.

“These are paramedic crews that I have personally met before,” Mr Whittall told AP. “They were buried in their uniforms with their gloves on. They were ready to save lives.”