Israeli PM Says Aid Workers’ Deaths in Airstrike Tragic, Unintentional 

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has called the airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven humanitarian workers working for the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza, an unintended and tragic mistake.

The strike, which Netanyahu admitted in a video statement, led to the deaths of workers from various countries including Australia, Britain, Poland, the United States, and Canada, as well as Palestinians. These individuals were in vehicles marked with the charity’s logos at the time of the attack.

Netanyahu expressed regret over the incident, stating: “Unfortunately in the past day there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip.

“This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence.”

The Israeli military has announced an independent investigation into the strike, expressing “sincere sorrow” over the deaths and the impact on humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Furthermore, the chief executive of WCK, Erin Gore, criticised the attack, emphasising the incident’s broader implications on humanitarian aid in conflict zones.

“This is unforgivable,” Gore declared of the incident.

The incident has heightened international scrutiny on Israel’s role in the hunger crisis in Gaza, where ongoing conflicts have severely impacted the local population. The United Nations and other organisations have criticised Israel for obstructing aid distribution, a charge Israel denies, instead blaming logistical issues on the aid groups’ part.

Britain, Australia, and Poland, from where the deceased aid workers hailed, have demanded for investigations into the tragic airstrike and for actions aimed at protecting aid workers.

Also, the founder of WCK, Chef Jose Andres, expressed his grief over the loss of lives and called for an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid. He said the Israeli government needs to “stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon.”

WCK, known for its significant contributions to feeding people in disaster zones, has temporarily paused its operations in Gaza following the airstrike.

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Emmanuel Ejiofor

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