Israel acknowledges errors in Gaza aid worker killings
The Israeli army has acknowledged a series of errors and violations in the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza. The army stated it had mistakenly believed it was targeting “armed Hamas operatives.” The officers responsible for ordering the drone strikes, a colonel and a major, are being dismissed, with the Southern Command chief receiving a reprimand.
The victims, including nationals from Australia, Britain, North America, Palestine, and Poland, were killed during three air strikes by an Israeli drone as they fled between their vehicles. The US-based charity they worked for, World Central Kitchen (WCK), has demanded an independent inquiry, with Poland calling for a criminal probe following the military’s admission.
An internal Israeli military inquiry found that the drone team had made an “operational misjudgment” after spotting a suspected Hamas gunman atop one of the aid trucks. Despite the vehicles bearing large WCK logos, the darkness prevented the drone’s camera from identifying them.
The aid group stated that the convoy, consisting of two armored cars branded with the WCK logo and a soft-skin vehicle, was traveling in a “de-conflicted” area and coordinated movements with the Israeli army. However, the convoy was struck as it left the Deir al-Balah warehouse. The army defended the night-time aid transfers as a measure to avoid deadly stampedes by hungry Gazans.
US President Joe Biden expressed outrage over the deaths and demanded steps toward an immediate ceasefire during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel subsequently announced temporary aid deliveries into northern Gaza, where famine looms, following the UN’s warning.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari characterized the incident as a “mega event” that should not have occurred, vowing to prevent its recurrence. Retired Israeli general Yoav Har-Even attributed the tragedy to a breakdown in communication and coordination within the military chain of command.
Despite WCK providing all necessary information, Har-Even stated that a lack of coordination plan contributed to the mistaken belief that the vehicles were Hamas-affiliated. WCK founder Jose Andres was briefed on the circumstances before the information’s release, condemning the attack as a targeted strike on his staff.
The Gaza conflict, described as the bloodiest ever, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with nearly 200 humanitarians killed, according to Doctors Without Borders.
