A devastating strike on Wednesday in the central city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip resulted in the collapse of a two-story building, killing at least 20 people, including several medical professionals. The strike also targeted an ambulance, killing six people, including four crew members. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that the ambulance was attacked by the Israeli military, resulting in the death of the medics and two other individuals inside the vehicle.

Insofar as my colleagues in the profession read @nytimes maybe these headlines about Israel’s genocide, bombing of an ambulance, and creation of famine in Gaza will convince them that something is very, very wrong with the violent creation of an ethnoreligous nationalist state… pic.twitter.com/xvsqdozRQt

— Ussama Makdisi (@UssamaMakdisi) January 11, 2024

The head of the International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Jagan Chapagain, condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable and emphasizing the importance of protecting patients and healthcare workers. Crowds of mourners gathered for the funerals of the medics, with a shredded and bloodied Palestinian Red Crescent uniform placed atop one of the white shrouds.

Despite these reports, the Israeli military denied any involvement in the bombing of the ambulance, stating that a review of the details provided to them showed that no strike was carried out in the described area. This denial comes amid a backdrop of escalating violence in the months-long conflict between Hamas and Israel, with thousands killed and many ambulances destroyed since the start of the war. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is left reeling from the tragic loss of life in the ongoing conflict between the two sides.