Officers fired after Gaza aid workers killed in air strike
Israel has sacked two military officers after finding procedural violations in the air strike on Gaza aid workers, according to Reuters.
An investigation into the air strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers that occurred on 1stApril, revealed standard military procedures had been breached leaving officers and senior commanders to be held accountable.
Israel have admitted to the “grave mistake” through a military issued statement on 5th April claiming that the air strike was a “serious failure due to mistaken identification, errors in decision-making,” and the violation of Standard Operating Procedures.
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Head of the air strike investigation, Yoav Har-Even declared that the Israeli forces were unable to identify the WCK logos on the roofs of the targeted cars in the dark and had assumed that the three vehicles had been seized by Hamas fighters.
Founding chef of WCK, Jose Andres stated that the seven workers were targeted “systematically, car by car” as they attempted to seek shelter from the air strike.
The Associated Press reported the US, one of Israel’s closest allies, condemned the “accidental” air strike on the humanitarian aid workers.
“Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians,” US President, Joe Biden stated.
The “outraged and heartbroken” president even threatened to shift the US’s policy towards Israel if it was not seen to protect aid workers and civilians from any further harm.
The fatal air strike prompted multiple charities to suspend food delivers to civilians, most of whom are already malnourished and starving, despite the aid packages from countries such as Libya and Algeria.
At least three British nationals were killed in the air strike, alongside other Polish, Australian, and American-Canadian aid workers, ITV news reported.
Reuters/AP/ITV