Israeli Minister Denies Deliberate Targeting of World Central Kitchen Aid Workers in Gaza
An Israeli cabinet minister has rejected allegations that Israeli forces intentionally targeted seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza. WCK founder José Andrés has accused Israel of systematically targeting his workers, referring to the attack as a deliberate act.
Nir Barkat, Israel’s Minister of Economy, dismissed Andrés’ claims as “nonsense” in an interview with BBC News. Israel has acknowledged the incident as a “grave mistake” and has committed to conducting a thorough investigation.
“We are deeply sorry for the loss of the seven aid workers, but unfortunately, friendly fire incidents do occur in times of conflict,” Barkat explained to BBC Chief Presenter Caitríona Perry. While expressing regret for the deaths, he emphasized that casualties among aid workers and civilians are a tragic reality of war.
The deaths of the WCK aid workers have sparked international outrage, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden demanding transparent investigations and accountability. President Biden criticized Israel for failing to adequately protect humanitarian workers and civilians in the conflict.
Andrés, a Spanish-American celebrity chef, insisted that the attack on the WCK convoy was not a mistake but a deliberate strike. He claimed that the vehicles were clearly marked and their movements were known to the Israel Defense Forces.
The suspension of WCK operations has raised concerns about the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as the organization is responsible for a significant portion of food aid entering the territory. The UN has also paused nighttime movements to assess security risks.
In response to the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the strike as unintentional and pledged to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The victims included three British nationals, as well as individuals from Poland, Australia, Palestine, and the US.
The attack on the WCK convoy is part of a larger conflict that began in October when Hamas militants targeted southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. The violence has claimed thousands of lives, including aid workers, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As the international community calls for accountability and justice, the tragic deaths of the WCK aid workers serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on innocent civilians and those seeking to provide assistance in times of crisis.