Witnesses have recounted how a 15-year-old Palestinian boy and a paramedic were killed in what they described as a “double-tap” Israeli drone strike in northern Gaza City.
The incident occurred on Salah Khalaf Street shortly before 3:30 p.m. when an initial explosion injured Palestinian Civil Defence paramedic Sharif Shadi Labad, who was left lying wounded on the road.
Witnesses said several people, including the teenager, Mohammad Abdul Zinati, rushed towards Labad to help him. Zinati’s cousin, Mohammed Rajeh Zinati, said he saw an Israeli drone approaching and shouted, “Run! Get away!” but the teenager had already reached the injured paramedic when a second strike hit the area.
Mohammad was killed in the second blast, while Labad also died from his injuries. Footage of the incident was reportedly verified by The Guardian, which also spoke with witnesses and weapons experts.
The Israeli military said Labad was targeted because it alleged he was a Hamas militant who had been involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks and was planning further operations. The military said it regretted harm to uninvolved civilians and that the incident was under review.
Weapons experts who reviewed footage said the drone’s capabilities may have allowed its operators to identify people approaching the wounded man and potentially redirect the weapon.
The incident has renewed concerns over strikes in Gaza in which a second attack occurs after people gather to assist those wounded in an initial strike, a pattern commonly referred to as a “double-tap” strike.
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