President Biden expressed his outrage and heartbreak over the tragic killing of seven humanitarian aid workers in a strike by Israeli forces. The incident, which occurred in the midst of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, prompted Israel’s top military commander, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, to acknowledge a grave mistake.
General Halevi admitted that the deaths of the aid workers were a result of misidentification in a complex and challenging situation. This rare admission of fault by Israel’s military marked a significant shift in tone, as the country’s leadership had previously defended its actions in the conflict against Hamas.
The aid workers, who were part of the World Central Kitchen charity, were targeted while traveling in a convoy to deliver much-needed assistance to hungry Palestinians in Gaza. The incident drew swift condemnation from President Biden, who criticized Israel for not doing enough to protect civilians and highlighted the need for accountability.
The international community also expressed shock and dismay over the attack, with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron calling the deaths “completely unacceptable.” The World Central Kitchen organization announced the suspension of its operations in Gaza following the tragic incident.
As tensions escalate and the death toll rises in Gaza, President Biden’s frustration with Israel’s conduct of the war has grown. He is scheduled to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the situation and demand explanations for the attack.
General Halevi assured that an independent investigation would be conducted to learn from the incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future. He emphasized that Israel’s conflict is with Hamas, not the people of Gaza, and expressed deep regret for the unintentional harm caused to the aid workers.
The killings of the humanitarian workers have reignited concerns about civilian casualties and the conduct of the war in Gaza. The international community is calling for accountability and measures to ensure the safety of aid workers in conflict zones.
