The Israeli military's top general, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, issued a public apology for an Israeli strike on a World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy that tragically resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers. Halevi acknowledged that the strike was a mistake due to misidentification during a night operation in complex war conditions.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, Halevi expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasizing that the strike was not intended to harm WCK aid workers. He extended heartfelt apologies to the families of the victims and the entire World Central Kitchen organization.
Describing the strike as a grave mistake, Halevi assured that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would take immediate actions to enhance the protection of humanitarian aid workers in conflict zones. He emphasized that Israel's conflict is with Hamas and not with the people of Gaza.
The IDF conducted a preliminary debrief following the incident and concluded that the unintended harm caused to the WCK members was a result of misidentification. Halevi reiterated that the strike should not have occurred and expressed sorrow for the loss of life.
As part of the ongoing efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future, the IDF is committed to implementing additional measures to safeguard humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict areas. Halevi's apology and commitment to improving protection for aid workers underscore Israel's recognition of the importance of humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing conflict.
