Israel says it has 'nothing to hide' over fatal shooting of emergency workers

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 Defence 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." 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." 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.

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.