Biden, world leaders condemn deadly Gaza airstrike on aid workers
PARIS—World powers widely condemned an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip that killed seven charity staff delivering desperately needed aid to the war-torn territory.
World Central Kitchen—one of two NGOs spearheading efforts to distribute aid brought by boat—said a “targeted Israeli strike” on Monday killed Australian, British, Palestinian, Polish and US-Canadian staff.
US President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken.”
In a strongly worded statement, he said Israel’s investigation of the strike “must be swift, it must bring accountability, and its findings must be made public.”
Biden added that the provision of humanitarian relief in the Palestinian territory has been difficult “because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians.”
The United Nations says the war has left almost 200 aid workers dead, including more than 175 members of the UN’s staff.
Inevitable result
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called the strike “unconscionable” but added that it was ‘’an inevitable result of the way the war is being conducted.”
“It demonstrates yet again the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the expansion of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said in a speech to the UN General Assembly.
Israel’s army acknowledged on Wednesday it had committed a “grave mistake.”
‘Misidentification’“It shouldn’t have happened,” IDF chief Herzi Halevi said in a video message, as he blamed the strike on a “misidentification—at night during a war in very complex conditions.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he called WCK founder, chef Jose Andres, to express his “deep sorrow and sincere apologies over the tragic loss of life.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike was “unintentional” but stopped short of apologizing for the deaths that he described as a “tragic case.”
The Israeli army has vowed to hold an investigation and promised to “share our findings transparently.”
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked and saddened” after learning that British nationals were among those killed.
He spoke to Netanyahu and told the Israeli leader that “he was appalled by the killing of aid workers,” a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.
The UK summoned the Israeli ambassador to express its “unequivocal condemnation.”
French foreign minister Stephane Sejourne said that “nothing justifies such a tragedy,” adding that “protecting humanitarian workers is a moral and legal imperative that everyone must adhere to.” —With reports from AFP, Reuters
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