Israeli Airstrikes Kill 7 Aid Workers, Prompting Suspension of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza and Condemnation from US and UN
On Tuesday, the United States and some of Israel's other closest allies condemned the deaths of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen who were killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
The incident led multiple charities to suspend food deliveries to Palestinians in need.
The deaths threatened to hinder efforts by the US and other countries to establish a maritime corridor for aid from Cyprus to help alleviate the dire conditions in northern Gaza.
President Joe Biden issued a strong criticism of Israel, stating that Israel had not done enough to protect aid workers and expressing outrage and sadness over their killings.
The US has urged Israel to coordinate military actions against Hamas with humanitarian efforts to prevent civilian casualties.
However, a charity's aid shipment was turned back from Gaza, and other organizations suspended operations due to safety concerns.
Israel has restricted the entry of food and supplies into Gaza's devastated north, where experts warn of imminent famine.
Critics accuse Israel of indiscriminate bombing and disregard for civilian casualties.
Israel's military chief announced a preliminary investigation into the charity's convoy attack, stating it was a "mistake due to misidentification" during wartime conditions.
An unintended Israeli strike hit at least three vehicles belonging to the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen in Gaza, leaving them incinerated and mangled with multiple targeted strikes.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged the incident and promised a thorough investigation.
The charity had coordinated with the military regarding the movement of its vehicles.
The vehicles, each with the charity's logo on the roof, were hit one after another, and footage showed the bodies of those inside at a hospital in Deir al-Balah.
The text reports that Israeli military identified cars carrying World Central Kitchen's workers at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah and observed suspected militants nearby.
Half an hour later, the vehicles were struck by the Israeli air force, resulting in the deaths of the aid workers.
It is unclear who gave the order for the strikes.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, condemned the attack, calling it "unconscionable" and expressing concern for the 196 aid workers killed in the conflict.
Guterres emphasized the need for the Security Council resolution to be implemented to ensure human security for the two million people in Gaza, who are currently seeking protection from hunger, disease, and Israeli bombardment.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern for Israelis feeling a lack of human security due to terror attacks, but condemned the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza.
He lamented the combined challenges of conflicts, climate emergency, and cost-of-living crisis reversing development gains.
The UN chief was dismayed by the killing of aid workers, including 196 in total, in the Israeli airstrikes.
Thousands protested outside the Knesset building in Jerusalem for early elections and hostage releases.
Protester Yoav Hollander urged for new elections due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October and resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 others.
The country is divided over the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the majority still supporting the war.
Families of the hostages are growing desperate as negotiations for their release in exchange for a cease-fire continue, but Israel and Hamas are far apart on the terms of a deal.
Approximately 100 hostages are believed to still be in Hamas captivity after some were freed during a cease-fire in November.
Hamas is currently holding the remains of around 30 Palestinians who were killed during an Israeli offensive in Gaza on October 7 or who died in captivity.
The offensive, which began in the late 1940s and continues to the present day, has resulted in the deaths of over 32,900 Palestinians, with approximately two-thirds of those being women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The deaths threatened to hinder efforts by the US and other countries to establish a maritime corridor for aid from Cyprus to help alleviate the dire conditions in northern Gaza.
President Joe Biden issued a strong criticism of Israel, stating that Israel had not done enough to protect aid workers and expressing outrage and sadness over their killings.
The US has urged Israel to coordinate military actions against Hamas with humanitarian efforts to prevent civilian casualties.
However, a charity's aid shipment was turned back from Gaza, and other organizations suspended operations due to safety concerns.
Israel has restricted the entry of food and supplies into Gaza's devastated north, where experts warn of imminent famine.
Critics accuse Israel of indiscriminate bombing and disregard for civilian casualties.
Israel's military chief announced a preliminary investigation into the charity's convoy attack, stating it was a "mistake due to misidentification" during wartime conditions.
An unintended Israeli strike hit at least three vehicles belonging to the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen in Gaza, leaving them incinerated and mangled with multiple targeted strikes.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged the incident and promised a thorough investigation.
The charity had coordinated with the military regarding the movement of its vehicles.
The vehicles, each with the charity's logo on the roof, were hit one after another, and footage showed the bodies of those inside at a hospital in Deir al-Balah.
The text reports that Israeli military identified cars carrying World Central Kitchen's workers at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah and observed suspected militants nearby.
Half an hour later, the vehicles were struck by the Israeli air force, resulting in the deaths of the aid workers.
It is unclear who gave the order for the strikes.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, condemned the attack, calling it "unconscionable" and expressing concern for the 196 aid workers killed in the conflict.
Guterres emphasized the need for the Security Council resolution to be implemented to ensure human security for the two million people in Gaza, who are currently seeking protection from hunger, disease, and Israeli bombardment.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern for Israelis feeling a lack of human security due to terror attacks, but condemned the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza.
He lamented the combined challenges of conflicts, climate emergency, and cost-of-living crisis reversing development gains.
The UN chief was dismayed by the killing of aid workers, including 196 in total, in the Israeli airstrikes.
Thousands protested outside the Knesset building in Jerusalem for early elections and hostage releases.
Protester Yoav Hollander urged for new elections due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October and resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 others.
The country is divided over the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the majority still supporting the war.
Families of the hostages are growing desperate as negotiations for their release in exchange for a cease-fire continue, but Israel and Hamas are far apart on the terms of a deal.
Approximately 100 hostages are believed to still be in Hamas captivity after some were freed during a cease-fire in November.
Hamas is currently holding the remains of around 30 Palestinians who were killed during an Israeli offensive in Gaza on October 7 or who died in captivity.
The offensive, which began in the late 1940s and continues to the present day, has resulted in the deaths of over 32,900 Palestinians, with approximately two-thirds of those being women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Translation:
Translated by AI
