Israel’s military has acknowledged making grave mistakes and violating protocol in strikes that killed seven aid workers in Gaza. An Israeli inquiry revealed that troops mistakenly targeted vehicles of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) under the assumption they were Hamas gunmen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired two officers and reprimanded others for their involvement in the strikes.
The IDF has been engaged in efforts to track down and eliminate Hamas militants in Gaza for nearly six months. The incident occurred when troops identified a Hamas gunman in an aid truck in Deir al-Balah and mistakenly assumed that workers with the WCK were terrorists. The vehicles were targeted, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven aid workers from various nationalities.
The IDF spokesperson mentioned that the unit responsible mistook an object for a weapon, which was later identified as a bag. The strikes, conducted at night, were attributed to mistaken identification and errors in decision-making. The WCK emphasized that their vehicles were clearly marked and in compliance with Israeli authorities.
Following the incident, WCK called for an independent inquiry and criticized Israel for targeting aid workers. The killing of the seven aid workers has drawn condemnation from international allies, prompting calls for accountability and measures to address civilian harm and humanitarian suffering.
US President Joe Biden and UK officials have expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Israel to take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future. The strikes have led to the suspension of aid operations in Gaza by some providers and raised questions about Israel’s military actions in the region.
Despite internal criticism, Israel’s security cabinet approved the reopening of the Erez crossing into Gaza. The incident has underscored the challenges of balancing security concerns with humanitarian needs in the conflict. The international community's response may signal a shift in how Israel’s actions are perceived and addressed moving forward.
