Israel has admitted that it unintentionally killed seven aid worker, three of them being Brits, after blasting a convoy of cars in Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his office was currently looking into the tragic case, but also claimed rather calmly, “This happens in war.”
Six of the aid workers from the UK, Australia, and Poland, who were dual citizens of the US and Canada, along with their Palestinian driver were killed while traveling in a deconflicted zone.
The charity World Central Kitchen said, “Two of the deceased have been confirmed to be Uk citizens and a third is still being processed.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “Unfortunately, in the last day there was a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip. I assure you that everything will be done in my power to prevent this from happening again.”
“This happens in wartime. We are thoroughly looking into it, are in contact with the governments of the foreigners among the dead and will do everything to ensure it does not happen again,” Netanyahu said again reassuringly.
The volunteers were in two armored cars branded with the WCK logo after unloading more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah.
Shocking footage showed the victims’ bodies, several wearing protective gear with the charity’s logo on, at a hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah.
The tragic and haunting images show bloodied passports and clothing worn by the victims amongst the debris.
The international food charity immediately suspended its operations in the region. However, three aid ships arrived from Cyprus on Monday carrying supplies, organized by the charity and the UAE.
Cypriot foreign ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said, “The charity’s team had unloaded around 100 tonnes before the blast – but the remaining 240 tonnes will now be sent back.”
WCK chief executive Erin Gore said in a statement: “This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable.”
“I am heartbroken and appalled that we, World Central Kitchen, and the world-lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF. The love they had for feeding people, the determination they embodied to show that humanity rises above all, and the impact they made in countless lives will forever be remembered and cherished,” she added.
Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was named as one of the seven killed.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the IDF had “expressed the deepest condolences” to the families of those killed.
“Last night, an incident took place in Gaza that resulted in the tragic death of World Central Kitchen employees as they fulfilled their vital mission of bringing food to people in need. As a professional military committed to international law, we are committed to examining our operations thoroughly and transparently,” Hagari said.
“I just spoke to WCK founder chef Jose Anders and expressed the deepest condolences of the Israel Defence Forces to the families and the entire World Central Kitchen family. We also express sincere sorrow to our allied nations who have been doing and continue to do so much to assist those in need,” he added.
The UK’s foreign secretary David Cameron has called on Israel to “immediately investigate” the incident.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he is shocked and saddened by the death of a British aid worker in Gaza, saying, “Clearly there are questions that need to be answered.”
On Monday, the IDF said: “Following the reports regarding the World Central Kitchen personnel in Gaza today, the IDF is conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident. The IDF makes extensive efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and has been working closely with World Central Kitchen in their vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”