“It was unintentional” — Israel after killing 7-aid workers

In a tragic incident on Tuesday, Israel acknowledged mistakenly killing seven individuals associated with the aid charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) in a Gaza airstrike.

Among the victims were citizens of Australia, Britain, Poland, Palestinians, and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.

The strike targeted a convoy affiliated with WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The convoy, comprising two armored vehicles marked with the charity’s logo and another vehicle, had coordinated its movements with the Israeli military.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “sincere sorrow” over the incident, attributing it to the fog of war. He pledged a thorough inquiry and cooperation with affected governments to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The international community swiftly condemned the attack, with calls for transparency and accountability. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed outrage and demanded independent investigations into the deaths of their citizens.

While the United States, Israel’s staunch ally, asserted there was no evidence of deliberate targeting, it emphasized Israel’s obligation to safeguard aid workers in Gaza.

President Joe Biden personally extended condolences to Jose Andres and affirmed Washington’s commitment to press Israel for greater protection of humanitarian workers.

The United Nations reiterated its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, citing the precarious situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.

WCK announced a pause in its operations in Gaza, highlighting the risks faced by humanitarian organizations in conflict zones.

The United Arab Emirates, which supported the seaborne food deliveries to Gaza, suspended shipments pending assurances of safety from Israel and a comprehensive investigation.