Israel investigating circumstances of aid worker deaths in Gaza

Israeli forces are investigating the Monday night deaths of World Central Kitchen aid workers, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Tuesday. He expressed sorrow, and offered his condolences to the organization and the families of the workers. He promised a transparent investigation of the incident, without saying whether Israel bore any responsibility for the deaths. The IDF has said it often warns civilians before bombing an area. 

What is thought to have happened? World Central Kitchen said that an Israeli airstrike struck one of its vehicles as it was traveling in area in Gaza that was supposed to be free from conflict. The strike killed seven aid workers who were from Canada, Poland, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and the local area, it said. The organization said it had previously coordinated its movements with the Israel Defense Forces.

How is World Central Kitchen responding to the tragedy? The organization said it was immediately pausing all its operations in the region while deciding the future of its work. The organization has focussed on providing food to those in need during humanitarian and community disasters.

What is the rest of the world saying about the incident? The late aid workers were heroes who were killed while trying to feed starving people, said UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus again called for a cease-fire in the region.

Dig deeper: Read William Inboden’s column in WORLD Opinions about how the UN is effectively lending its support to Hamas with a recent cease-fire resolution.