International Outrage Over Israel’s Air Strike That Killed Aid Workers in Gaza
GAZA — Israel is facing mounting international pressure following an air strike that tragically claimed the lives of seven aid workers from the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza.
The UK, Poland, Australia, Canada, and the US, all countries whose nationals were among the victims, are demanding a thorough investigation from Israel. The humanitarian aid to Gaza is now in jeopardy, with WCK, a major aid provider to the Strip, suspending its operations.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has issued an apology for the deaths, acknowledging the devastating consequences of the strike.
Among the seven killed aid workers were three British nationals, a Polish citizen, an Australian, a Palestinian, and a dual US-Canadian citizen.
The IDF has committed to conducting an independent investigation into the incident to address the growing concerns and allegations of misconduct.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his deep concern over the situation in Gaza and demanding a transparent and impartial investigation into the deaths of the aid workers.
White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed outrage over the strike, with US President Joe Biden reportedly heartbroken by the tragic events.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also demanded accountability and independent investigations from their Israeli counterparts.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, emphasizing that humanitarian personnel should never be targeted in such a manner.
Netanyahu acknowledged the mistake made by Israel’s forces, promising a comprehensive investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
WCK, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has been a crucial aid provider in Gaza, having served over 42 million meals in the region. However, the charity has decided to halt its operations in Gaza following the tragic loss of its aid workers.
According to Cogat, WCK is responsible for 60% of the non-governmental aid entering Gaza, highlighting the significant impact of their work in the region.
Another charity, the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), which collaborated closely with WCK, has also suspended its operations in Gaza in light of the recent events.
The aid workers killed in the attack, including Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, Damian Sobol, and Saif Abu Taha, were part of an aid convoy that was delivering crucial supplies to Gaza when it was struck.
More than 196 aid workers have lost their lives in Gaza since October, underscoring the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones.
The devastating toll of the Israeli military operations in Gaza has left the region in turmoil, with thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. The situation remains tense as efforts continue to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. — BBC