Silent Sirens: The Gaza Paramedics Killed in an Israeli bombing

Department of Research, Studies and International News 09-04-2025

On a fateful mission in Gaza, a convoy of emergency vehicles set out on a rescue operation, marked, flashing, and unmistakably humanitarian. Among them was 24-year-old paramedic Refaat Radwan, documenting the journey and unknowingly capturing the final moments of his life. They were searching for a missing Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance that had lost communication with its base.

Refaat’s video showed the team spotting the vehicle and praying for the safety of their colleagues. But as they rushed to the scene, they were met not with survivors, but with gunfire. Israeli forces opened fire on the clearly identified medical responders. Refaat was struck. In his dying breaths, he begged forgiveness from his mother and whispered prayers.

That night, eight PRCS paramedics and six Palestinian Civil Defence workers lost their lives. One medic, Assaad al-Nassasra, was taken alive. These were not just names on a list, they were fathers, brothers, newlyweds, and friends. This is who they were:

• Ashraf Abu Labda : The Quiet Comforter

  Ashraf, 32, had only been married a few months when he was killed. A new father to baby Wiam, Ashraf was known for his calm demeanor and his dedication to his team. He had been volunteering since 2021 and made it a mission to ensure everyone had a proper iftar meal during Ramadan, either cooking at the station or sharing his family’s food.

• Ezzeddin Shaath: The Devoted Fathe

• At 51, Ezzeddin was a father of six and a PRCS veteran since 2000. Loved for his sense of humor, the ongoing war had slowly silenced his laughter. At work, he made sure his team rested and ate. His motto: “If it’s written, we’ll come back; if not, it’s our fate.” His loss left behind a family shattered, yet proud of his courage.

• Mohamed Bahloul : The Problem Solver

  Mohamed, 36, had served the Red Crescent for seven years. He spent more time at the emergency center than at home, visiting his wife and six children just once a week. He often found ways to help displaced families, even convincing friends and family to provide transport when ambulances weren’t an option. To his children, he died a hero.

• Mustafa Khafaga and Mohamed al-Heila: The Joyful Duo

  
  Fifty-year-old Mustafa and 23-year-old Mohamed brought laughter even to stormy days. In one story, they carried an elderly woman across a flooded street in a chair, grinning as if they were escorting a bride. Their bond and playful energy made them beloved among colleagues.

• Raed el-Sharif : The Storyteller Through a Lens

  
  At just 25, Raed had already committed himself to telling his people’s story through photography. A PRCS volunteer since 18, he was present during the 2018 Great March of Return, where Israeli forces killed hundreds. Raed was the youngest of five siblings and hoped to marry after the war. Instead, his family endured nine painful days of uncertainty before confirming his death.

• Refaat Radwan: The Gentle Grandson

  
  Refaat had a reputation for kindness, especially to elderly women. He would often step in to fetch their medicine or help them avoid long lines, treating each with the care of a beloved grandmother. His sensitivity and compassion made him both respected and cherished by those around him.

• Saleh Muammar : The Brave Returnee
  

  Saleh, 42, had barely recovered from gunshot wounds sustained on an earlier mission when he returned to the front lines. Even after surgery to repair injuries to his shoulder and chest, he insisted on resuming his rescue work. His guiding belief: those in pain must not be left without help.

• Assaad al-Nassasra : The One Who Remains Missing

  
  Assaad, 47, had a special rapport with children. Known for handing out sweets and persuading kids to play away from danger, he made safety feel like a game. He was last seen heading to the PRCS headquarters for iftar. When his family couldn’t reach him, they feared the worst. A surviving witness later confirmed he was captured and taken alive, his fate still uncertain.

Each of these men dedicated their lives to saving others. They were not combatants. Their uniforms bore the Red Crescent, their mission was mercy, and their weapons were stretchers and bandages. Yet, they were targeted and killed.

Their legacy, however, lives on in every life they touched, every child they saved, and every elderly woman they helped walk just a little farther.