Seven aid workers were killed in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has now admitted responsibility for this. “This happens in war, we examine it thoroughly,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted Israeli military responsibility for a deadly attack on employees of the aid organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu spoke of a “tragic incident” and an “inadvertent attack by our armed forces on innocent people in the Gaza Strip.” “This happens in war, we are examining it thoroughly,” said Netanyahu. His government is in contact with the governments of those affected and will “do everything to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.”
The army had previously announced an investigation. “This will help us reduce the risk of such an incident happening again,” said army spokesman Daniel Hagari. He spoke of an investigation by an independent and professional committee of experts. He also said that he had spoken to WCK founder Chief José Andrés and expressed the Israel Defense Forces’ “deepest condolences to the families and the entire WCK family.”
People inspect the site where the World Central Kitchen employees were killed. The airstrike hit one of the organization’s cars.
WCK stopped working in the Gaza Strip
The US organization WCK confirmed the deaths of the seven employees this morning. WCK was traveling with a convoy of two armored vehicles with the aid organization’s logo and one unarmored vehicle.
The organization said the convoy was hit “despite coordination of movements with the IDF (Israeli Army)” as it was leaving the warehouse in Deir al-Balah, in the center of the Gaza Strip. The team unloaded a hundred tons of emergency aid there, which were delivered by sea. The organization announced that it would temporarily stop its work in the Gaza Strip.
According to the aid organization, the victims came from Australia, Poland and Great Britain. They also included a person with dual citizenship from the USA and Canada and several Palestinians.
States demand clarification
The employees’ deaths sparked international outrage. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell wrote on Platform X: “I condemn the attack and demand an investigation.” Despite all calls to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, there are new innocent victims.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on X: “I have personally asked Israeli Ambassador Yacov Livne for urgent explanations.” Poland “does not agree with the lack of compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers,” the Polish Foreign Ministry said.
“This is completely unacceptable,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “We demand full accountability.” He confirmed the death of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom. The young woman can be seen in a video from March 25 explaining that she will distribute “wonderful smelling rice” to those in need.
WCK said it distributed more than 42 million meals in the Gaza Strip in 175 days.