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Separately, the IDF said earlier this week that "professional failures" had led to the killing of 15 emergency workers in an incident in Gaza last month.

The IDF report said the incident took place in what it called a "hostile and dangerous combat zone", and that the commander on the ground perceived an immediate and tangible threat after vehicles approached rapidly.

In a statement, the IDF said its troops opened fire believing they were facing a threat from enemy forces.

The IDF was clearing areas of "terrorist infrastructure" with "tremendous force", and then incorporating them into "security zones", the defence minister added.

Doctors scrambled to evacuate the hospital, saying they were given just a 20-minute warning by the IDF.