The Palestinian Red Crescent said the footage shows ambulances driving with emergency lights on, contradicting the Israeli military’s account that it opened fire on suspicious vehicles.

A video provided by the Palestinian Red Crescent has raised questions about Israel’s army description regarding the deaths of 15 emergency responders and civil defense personnel in Gaza.

The video, shared by the rescue service on X, shows clearly marked ambulances and a fire engine driving with their headlights and blue emergency lights switched on.

The Israeli army stated that its personnel had initiated gunfire towards multiple cars when those vehicles moved toward them unexpectedly, lacking proper communication and illumination.

Israeli authorities stated that the soldiers had eliminated individuals belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

In other news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly set to visit the White House on Monday to discuss the Gaza war and tariffs with US President Donald Trump.

Below is an overview of the latest updates from Israel, Gaza, and the broader Middle East on Saturday, April 5:

Netanyahu set to meet with Trump regarding tariffs, according to reports

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to have a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, according to statements made by four Israeli officials and one White House official on Saturday.

The unexpected face-to-face meeting might be the first attempt by a foreign leader to discuss removing the tariffs recently declared by Trump.

Under the “reciprocal” tariff scheme, Israeli products imported into the United States will face an additional 17% duty.

Israel had already taken steps to eliminate its remaining tariffs on approximately only 2% of US imports.

An official mentioned that the discussions would likewise center on Turkey’s increasing impact in adjacent Syria, disputes with Iran, as well as the strife in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s office hasn’t confirmed the trip to his nation’s top ally and primary trading partner. This comes as the Israeli leader continues his stay in Hungary during which he faces an international arrest warrant related to the conflict in Gaza.

Israel deploys forces to newly established Gaza security zone

Israel states that its forces have been positioned within a recently created security zone in southern Gaza to intensify the pressure on the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. This group is regarded as a terrorist entity by both Israel and the United States, along with Germany and several other nations.

A military announcement stated that soldiers from the 36th Division have been dispatched to the newly established Morag Corridor, intended to isolate the southern city of Rafah from the remainder of the region.

Initially, it wasn’t evident how many troops had been sent out or precisely where this corridor was situated.

The settlement known as Morag was located between Rafah and Khan Younis, having been a part of Jewish settlements in the area.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed that the corridor should connect the two cities.

He stated that Morag would become “another Philadelphia Corridor,” referencing the area on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt to the south, which has been under Israeli control since May of the previous year.

Israel has likewise reclaimed authority over the Netzarim corridor, which separates the northern portion of Gaza, encompassing Gaza City, from the remainder of the area.

The previous passageways extend from the Israeli frontier to the Mediterranean Sea.

Aid organization: Footage reveals key instants prior to Gaza relief personnel’s fatalities

Video evidence seems to challenge Israel’s assertion about the vehicles transporting

15 Palestinian medics killed

In Southern Gaza last month, the area reportedly lacked emergency lights as stated by the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The assistance organization stated that the video, shared on X, was obtained from the cellphone of aid worker Rifat Radwan. The footage captures instances involving medical personnel, featuring distinctly labeled ambulances and blinking emergency lights amid intense gun battles starting up.

The roughly 7-minute video, believed to be recorded from within a moving car, shows a red fire truck and several ambulances traveling at night under heavy intermittent gunfire.

The cars halt alongside each other at the side of the road, with two individuals in uniforms emerging from them, according to the Red Crescent.

It does not seem like the teams are behaving abnormally or menacingly as three medical personnel exit their vehicles and move towards an ambulance that was previously attacked.

Seconds later, a volley of gunfire breaks out and the screen goes black.

The video clearly debunks the assertions made by the occupying forces that Israeli troops did not arbitrarily attack ambulances, emphasizing that certain vehicles were moving towards them in an unclear manner without proper lighting or emergency indicators,” stated the Palestinian Red Crescent. “This evidence unveils the reality and disassembles these misleading accounts.

Among those who were killed were eight employees of the Red Crescent, six members of the Gaza Civil Defense Agency, and one employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

The Israeli military claims that their troops did not arbitrarily target any ambulances, maintaining that they shot at individuals identified as terrorists who were advancing towards them in suspicious vehicles.

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to LFHCK ID’s reporting on the most recent updates from the Middle East.

This blog will provide you with the most recent updates, analyses, and media materials related to happenings in this area.