Israeli forces 'deliberately killed' Palestinian paramedic Razan
Israeli forces 'deliberately killed' Palestinian paramedic Razan
Probe by Israeli rights group B'Tselem concludes that intentional fatal shot was fired at the Palestinian paramedic.
An investigation conducted by Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem has concluded that Israeli security forces deliberately shot and killed Palestinian paramedics Razan al-Najjar, contradicting the Israeli army's claims that it was an accident.
On June 1, the 20-year-old al-Najjar was shot in the chest with the single bullet exiting through her back, while she was trying to help wounded demonstrators in Gaza near the perimeter fence with Israel.
B'Tselem's investigation found that a member of the Israeli security forces aimed and shot directly at her as al-Najjar stood some 25 metres away from the fence, "despite the fact that she posed no danger to him or anyone else and was wearing a medical uniform".
"Contrary to the many versions offered by the [Israeli] military, the facts of the case lead to only one conclusion," Amit Gilutz, spokesperson for B'Tselem said.
Rami Abu Jazar, 29, a volunteer paramedic from Khan Younis was with al-Najjar when she was fatally shot. In a testimony provided to B'Tselem, Jazar explained that around 6 pm that day a group of paramedics approached the fence to evacuate two young men who had fainted due to tear gas inhalation.
The paramedics wore medical vests and raised their hands above their heads "to set the soldiers at ease, to make them see we're paramedics", Abu Jazar said.
However, as they began to evacuate the young men, the soldiers started to fire a "heavy barrage" of tear gas canisters at them. Al-Najjar began to choke and the group moved away from the fence.
"After we had moved away, we started feeling better and decided to go closer to the protesters," Abu Jazar said.
"We stood about 10 meters away from them, which was about 25 meters away from the fence. There were no protesters near us. At around 5:45 pm, we saw two soldiers get out of a military jeep, kneel and aim their guns at us, taking up a sniper stance.
"Razan was standing to my right and [medical team member] Rasha was behind me. We were talking. Suddenly, they fired two live bullets at us. I looked at Razan and saw her point to her back and then fall down."
A second later, Abu Jazar also fell having been hit by a live bullet above the left knee. Another paramedic that stood with them was hit by shrapnel in the right hand and pelvic area.
According to B'Tselem, the spokesperson for the Israeli forces tried to clear the army of any responsibility for al-Najjar's death by initially saying that soldiers didn't fire at the spot where she was standing.
One June 5, the Israeli forces' spokesperson said that according to their initial investigation, al-Najjar was not intentionally targeted, suggesting that she was likely killed by a ricochet or a misdirected shot, according to the Times of Israel.
Their probe was based on interviews with soldiers who were at the scene. Their examination found that they had fired at demonstrators, not at al-Najjar.
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