(BrightPress.org) – The hunger crisis in Gaza worsens as World Central Kitchen stops its work in the area following a strike by the Israeli military on a convoy of humanitarian aid workers. The attack happened on Monday as three vehicles belonging to the organization were traveling with substantial distance between them. The vehicles were hit in succession. The aftermath indicated multiple targeted strikes. World Central Kitchen said the movement of the convoy was coordinated with the Israeli military. The charity’s logo was printed across the top of at least one of the vehicles so it would be identifiable from the air.
Israel’s top military commander, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Wednesday that the results of a preliminary investigation showed the strike to be “a mistake that followed a misidentification.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the attack as an “unintended strike… on innocent people” and vowed officials would work to “ensure it does not happen again.”
An Israeli TV station said the initial military investigation claims the Israeli military identified the convoy as it arrived at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah but also observed suspected militants in the area. The convoy was struck a half-hour later while leaving the area. Reports did not indicate who ordered the attack or why.
Israel has said its military seeks to avoid civilian casualties by using “sophisticated intelligence” to target Hamas. In contrast, Israel has also said that no target is off limits as military forces have targeted ambulances, humanitarian aid vehicles, and U.N. shelters claiming they were occupied by armed Hamas fighters.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the strike that killed the World Central Kitchen workers. He said he wants Israel to conduct a full investigation and publicize the findings. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden called Jose Andres, the founder of World Central Kitchen “to express that he’s heartbroken.” Biden said Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers attempting to deliver supplies that are desperately needed by innocent civilians.
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