Chief of the Normal Workers Herzi Halevi stated an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip that killed seven support staff was the results of a “misidentification” drawback, citing a preliminary investigation into the occasions.
The British, Australians, Poles, a twin US-Canadian citizen, and Palestinian nationals had been killed when their convoy was attacked on Monday evening.
Workers of World Central Kitchen (WCK) had been touring to a battle zone in two armored vehicles marked with the WCK brand, the US-based support group created by US-Spanish restaurateur José Andrés stated.
Regardless of coordination strikes with the Israel Protection Forces (IDF), the convoy was hit whereas leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, WCK reported.
“I wish to be very clear, the strike was not carried out with the intention of harming WCK support staff,” Halevi stated on Wednesday as he introduced the outcomes of a “preliminary debrief” within the occasions.
“It was a mistake that adopted a misidentification, at evening throughout a warfare in very complicated situations,” Halevi continued. “It shouldn't have occurred.”
“This incident was a severe mistake,” he added. “We’re sorry for the unintentional hurt to WCK members.”
Halevi stated that an “impartial physique” will examine the incident and will probably be accomplished within the coming days and its findings shared with the WCK and different worldwide organizations.
World leaders condemned the deaths of the help staff, whereas the supply of meals and provides by ship was quickly halted after the strike regardless of rising desperation in Gaza with hunger looming.
On Tuesday, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated the military would conduct an intensive investigation “on the highest ranges” into the deaths.
Hagari paid tribute to WCK, noting that it had been one of many first organizations to assist Israel after the October 7 assaults from Gaza. “WCK's work is essential,” he stated. “They fulfill a significant mission of bringing meals to individuals in want.”
The warfare was triggered by the unprecedented bloodbath of greater than 1,200 individuals killed by the Palestinian Islamist motion Hamas and different extremist teams.
Criticism is rising of Israel's overwhelming response given the rising variety of civilian casualties and the catastrophic humanitarian scenario in Gaza.
