The Israeli military has “nothing to hide” and is “thoroughly” investigating the fatal shooting of aid workers by its forces in Gaza, an Israeli government spokesman has told Sky News.
David Mencer said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opened fire “from a distance” at a convoy that was “moving suspiciously in their direction” on 23 March.
Fifteen emergency workers were killed in the incident near the southern city of Rafah.
When asked by Sky’s Mark Austin on the News Hour why Israel is not allowing an independent investigation into the shooting, Mr Mencer said: “Israel is not afraid of anything.
“It’s not the first time that Hamas has used ambulances to smuggle terrorists.
“It’s a matter of public record.”
Asked whether the IDF had any evidence any of those in the convoy were Hamas terrorists before they opened fire, Mr Mencer replied: “Our investigation is taking place right now. It’s going to be very thorough… We have nothing to hide whatsoever.”
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When asked the question again, Mr Mencer said: “Emergency vehicles should be used to save lives. Hamas has turned them into getaway cars for killers.”
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It comes after the IDF said on Monday that findings from a preliminary investigation found six of those who died were “identified as Hamas terrorists”.
The IDF also said in a statement: “All the claims raised regarding the incident will be examined through the mechanism and presented in a detailed and thorough manner for a decision on how to handle the event.”
Footage at the weekend showed the moment the aid workers came under fire, with ambulances and fire insignia clearly visible and red lights flashing.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has demanded an independent investigation into the “atrocious” deaths of the aid workers.
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Israel had earlier claimed the shooting took place in a combat zone, however an investigation by Sky’s data and forensics unit found this was not the case.
Asked about the findings, Mr Mencer said: “There’s nothing I’m going to say that is going to prejudice this investigation.
“The results will come out shortly. It’s a thorough investigation by the IDF.”
Deported MPs row
Mr Mencer has also spoken to Sky News a day after one of the Labour MPs who was denied entry and deported from Israel accused the state of “control and censorship”.
Abtisam Mohamed and fellow Labour MP Yuan Yang were denied entry to Israel when they arrived there on Saturday as part of a parliamentary delegation to visit humanitarian aid projects in the West Bank, they said.
Mr Mencer claimed the MPs had wanted people to “boycott Israel”, adding: “Boycotting this country essentially means that you do not wish Israel to exist.”
He also accused the two MPs of accusing Israel of “false crimes” and “promoting sanctions” against the Israeli people.
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Former journalist Ms Yang has only spoken once in the Commons about Israel-Gaza since she became an MP last year.
She called on the government to ensure journalists can work safely in Gaza and then posted on X about many of her former Financial Times colleagues being denied entry to Gaza by Israel, as have all international reporters.
Ms Mohamed is Yemeni-Muslim and has been outspoken against Israel in her role on the Foreign Affairs Committee, speaking in the Commons five times on the topic since becoming an MP last July.
The MP has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “war crimes”, something Israel has rejected.
She also spearheaded a cross-party call from 61 MPs for a UK ban on Israeli goods.
Mr Mencer added: “We will always defend ourselves…. Because this country is a democracy and we will defend our values.”
In a remark directed at Mark Austin, he continued: “You may have succumbed to this woke, Islamist ideology – we have not.”
In a joint statement after they were deported, Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said they were “astounded at the unprecedented step taken by the Israeli authorities”.
“It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness, first-hand, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory,” they said.
Following the incident, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it was “unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities”.
