3-4-2024 (GAZA) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted on April 2 that Israel’s military had “unintentionally” killed seven aid workers from the US charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) in an airstrike in Gaza. The targeted attack by Israeli forces resulted in the deaths of aid workers from various nationalities, including Australia, the UK, Palestine, Poland, and the US-Canada.
Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic case” and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted. Footage from AFPTV revealed the damaged vehicles, including one with the WCK logo, indicating the impact of the airstrike.
????BREAKING: It has now been confirmed that the the aid workers targeted by Israel were travelling in a “deconflicted zone” in two armoured vehicles that were branded with the WCK logo and that it had *coordinated their movements with the Israeli military*…
World Central Kitchen… pic.twitter.com/dugL9vjvFr
— Pelham (@Resist_05) April 2, 2024
The White House expressed deep sadness over the incident, with US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson emphasizing the need to protect aid workers who deliver essential assistance.
Israeli strikes continued in Gaza, leading to a total of 71 reported deaths on April 1 and 2, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Earlier, Israel concluded a two-week operation near Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, leaving the facility severely damaged and causing numerous casualties.
“These are the heroes of WCK. These 7 beautiful souls were killed by the IDF in a strike as they were returning from a full day’s mission. Their smiles, laughter, and voices are forever embedded in our memories.” – Erin Gore, CEO. Read more: https://t.co/4f38RQ1l4I pic.twitter.com/neAsSzKVP5
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) April 2, 2024
Tensions in the region escalated further when Israel was held responsible for a deadly airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven members of the Revolutionary Guards, including two generals. Iran, a supporter of Hamas and other groups opposing Israel and its allies, vowed revenge against its long-time adversary.
Despite domestic protests demanding Netanyahu’s resignation, the Israeli Prime Minister pledged to continue the offensive against Hamas. The US, a staunch ally of Israel, expressed concerns about an intended offensive in Gaza’s densely populated city of Rafah. Israel assured the US that it would take these concerns into account.
In addition, Netanyahu took steps on April 1 to ban broadcasts from the Qatar-based news channel Al Jazeera in Israel, labeling it a “terrorist channel.” Al Jazeera, whose journalists have suffered casualties during the conflict, dismissed the accusations as “dangerous, ludicrous lies.”
The ongoing Gaza war, sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, has resulted in a significant number of casualties, predominantly civilians in Israel. According to Israeli official figures, approximately 1,160 deaths have occurred. On the other hand, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported at least 32,916 fatalities, primarily women and children.
Palestinian militants have also taken hostages, with an estimated 130 individuals still held captive in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.
The Israeli military recently concluded an operation at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, claiming to have killed 200 enemy fighters. However, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported a death toll of 300 in and around the hospital. Israel’s Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari alleged that there were more terrorists than patients or medical staff in the hospital, with 900 suspects detained, including over 500 confirmed militants. Hamas has repeatedly denied operating from hospitals.
The war has subjected Gaza to an Israeli blockade, resulting in accusations of obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries. The United Nations has warned of a “catastrophic” hunger crisis in the region.
World Central Kitchen, the aid organization involved in the targeted attack, had been working to deliver food aid to Gaza from Cyprus. The bodies of the aid workers were taken to a hospital mortuary, with one of them wearing a top bearing the WCK name and logo on a makeshift stretcher. The organization’s chief executive, Erin Gore, expressed heartbreak and disbelief over the incident, calling it a “targeted attack” by the Israeli army.
The Israeli military stated that it is conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. They emphasized their close cooperation with WCK. Spanish charity Open Arms, which collaborated with WCK on the aid deliveries, demanded an explanation from Israel regarding the “brutal” strike. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as “completely unacceptable.”
The Gaza war has heightened tensions between Israel and its long-standing adversary Iran, as well as the groups supported by Iran, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The conflict has also fueled violence in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The airstrike in Damascus on April 1 resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, including seven Iranians and six Syrians, as reported by Iranian state TV. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the loss of seven members, including two commanders from its foreign operations arm, the Quds Force. While Israel has not commented on the incident, Iran holds them responsible, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, vowing punishment for the “evil Zionist regime.” A meeting requested by Russia was scheduled at the UN Security Council to discuss the airstrike.
