Tragic Loss: Israel Acknowledges Deadly Strike on Aid Workers in Gaza
[Source: New york times ]
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has acknowledged a “tragic case” where Israeli forces “unintentionally hit innocent people” in Gaza. His statement comes after a devastating attack that claimed the lives of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, a disaster relief organization founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.
The Deadly Incident
According to reports, a convoy of three vehicles belonging to World Central Kitchen came under fire late Monday night as they were leaving a food warehouse in Deir al Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip. The aid workers had just finished unloading over 100 tons of food aid that had been brought to Gaza by sea.
Videos and photos verified by The New York Times suggest the convoy was hit multiple times, with the three vehicles found nearly a mile and a half apart from each other, all showing signs of severe damage.
Victims Identified
Among the seven victims were foreign nationals from various countries, including:
- A dual citizen of the United States and Canada
- Three British citizens, reportedly former Royal Marines turned aid workers
- An Australian citizen, identified as Zomi Frankcom, a senior manager at World Central Kitchen
- A Polish aid worker from the city of Przemysl, named Damian Sobol
The seventh victim was a 25-year-old Palestinian, Saif Abu Taha, who worked as a driver and translator for the organization.
Israel’s Response
In a video statement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the “tragic case” and stated that Israel was “fully examining this” and in contact with foreign governments. He added, “We will do everything so that this thing does not happen again.”
An Israeli military official confirmed that the military had concluded it was responsible for the strike on the convoy, and an investigation has been launched to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Calls for Transparency
The British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has called on Israel “to immediately investigate and provide a full, transparent explanation of what happened.” The United Nations has also expressed concerns over the safety of aid workers in the region, with a senior official stating that “there is no safe place left in Gaza.”
As the situation unfolds, the world awaits answers and accountability for this tragic loss of life among those dedicated to providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones.