The Israeli military has “nothing to hide” and is “thoroughly” investigating the fatal shooting of 15 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.
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.”
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”.
Footage at the weekend showed the moment the aid workers were killed, 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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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.”
In a joint statement, 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”.
