The Israeli navy has “nothing to cover” and is “completely” investigating the deadly capturing of assist staff by its forces in Gaza, an Israeli authorities spokesman has instructed Sky Information.
David Mencer stated the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) opened fireplace “from a distance” at a convoy that was “shifting suspiciously of their route” on 23 March.
Fifteen emergency staff had been killed within the incident close to the southern metropolis of Rafah.
When requested by Sky’s Mark Austin on the Information Hour why Israel isn’t permitting an impartial investigation into the capturing, Mr Mencer stated: “Israel isn’t afraid of something.
“It isn’t the primary time that Hamas has used ambulances to smuggle terrorists.
“It is a matter of public document.”
Requested whether or not the IDF had any proof any of these within the convoy had been Hamas terrorists earlier than they opened fireplace, Mr Mencer replied: “Our investigation is happening proper now. It may be very thorough… We’ve nothing to cover in anyway.”
When requested the query once more, Mr Mencer stated: “Emergency automobiles ought to be used to save lots of lives. Hamas has turned them into getaway vehicles for killers.”
It comes after the IDF stated on Monday that findings from a preliminary investigation discovered six of those that died had been “recognized as Hamas terrorists”.
The IDF additionally stated in an announcement: “All of the claims raised concerning the incident will likely be examined via the mechanism and offered in an in depth and thorough method for a call on easy methods to deal with the occasion.”
Footage on the weekend confirmed the second the help staff got here beneath fireplace, with ambulances and fireplace insignia clearly seen and crimson lights flashing.
The Palestine Crimson Crescent Society (PRCS) has demanded an impartial investigation into the “atrocious” deaths of the help staff.
Deported MPs row
Mr Mencer has additionally spoken to Sky Information a day after one of many Labour MPs who was denied entry and deported from Israel accused the state of “management and censorship”.
Abtisam Mohamed and fellow Labour MP Yuan Yang had been denied entry to Israel after they arrived there on Saturday as a part of a parliamentary delegation to go to humanitarian assist tasks within the West Financial institution, they stated.
Mr Mencer claimed the MPs had needed individuals to “boycott Israel”, including: “Boycotting this nation primarily signifies that you don’t want Israel to exist.”
In a joint assertion, Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed stated they had been “astounded on the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities”.
“It’s critical that parliamentarians are in a position to witness, first-hand, the scenario within the occupied Palestinian territory,” they stated.
Following the incident, International Secretary David Lammy stated it was “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply regarding that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities”.
