Food aid charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) has called for an independent investigation into the killing of its aid workers after Israeli army officials acknowledged all communication procedures had been properly followed before the fatal attack on April 1.
Several other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), some of which have also lost humanitarian workers in the ongoing conflict, joined the call to halt what they referred to as “Israel’s bloody military campaign with total disrespect of international laws”.
The bloodshed in Gaza, which came in response to Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct 7, has now passed the six-month mark.
On April 1, indignation erupted over the death of seven WCK workers after the Israeli military attacked their three-vehicle convoy despite all being clearly marked with the logos of the organization
On April 1, indignation erupted over the death of seven WCK workers after the Israeli military attacked their three-vehicle convoy despite all being clearly marked with the logos of the organization.
On April 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “Israel deeply regrets the tragic incident”.
In a separate video message on X, Netanyahu added that it was an “unintended strike” and promised a swift investigation.
On April 5, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) presented its findings in a video posted on X.
The IDF called the killing of the seven WCK workers "a grave mistake, stemming from serious operational failures, mistaken classification and identification, errors in decision-making, and strikes that were conducted in violation of standard operation procedures".
On April 6, a WCK statement welcomed the IDF’s acknowledgment and taking responsibility for the “fatal errors”, which saw two officers dismissed and three others reprimanded.
However, WCK reiterated that “without systemic change”, there “will be more military failures, more apologies and more grieving families”.
It noted that the IDF had “acknowledged that our teams followed all proper communications procedures” and that the IDF’s video “fails to show any cause to fire on our personnel convoy, which carried no weapons and posed no threat”.
Nebal Farsakh, spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, noted in a video posted on her X account on April 5 that “for half a year, people “have lived in fear, having no safety place to go to” and protect their families and the healthcare system has almost collapsed
“We demand the creation of an independent commission to investigate the killings of our WCK colleagues. The IDF cannot credibly investigate its own failure in Gaza,” the statement read.
“Their apologies for the outrageous killing of our colleagues represent cold comfort,” said WCK CEO Erin Gore. “It’s cold comfort for the victims’ families and WCK’s global family. Israel needs to take concrete steps to assure the safety of humanitarian aid workers. Our operations remain suspended”.
Nebal Farsakh, spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, noted in a video posted on her X account on April 5 that “for half a year, people “have lived in fear, having no safety place to go to” and protect their families and the healthcare system has almost collapsed.
“The Palestine Red Crescent (Society) staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to alleviate this unprecedented suffering. Yet, this is not without sacrifice. Fifteen members of our teams (have been) killed since the beginning of the war,” said Farsakh.
“We mourn the loss of our colleagues, our friends, and our loved ones. We cannot wait any longer. Civilians, humanitarians and medical personnel must be protected and respected,” she added.
“The international community must take action now, to end the suffering in Gaza.”
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said in a statement that the urgency of the situation in Gaza “cannot be overstated”.
“More than one week after the UN Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire, and despite additional provisional measures mandated by the International Court of Justice, there remains no tangible improvement in the situation for civilians on the ground,” the statement read.
Jan Egeland, secretary general of the NRC, said the United Nations Security Council “must fulfil its responsibility to restore peace and security”.
“Six months after the heinous attack by Hamas, and after six months of Israel’s bloody military campaign with total disrespect of international laws, the fighting has to stop,” Egeland said.
“NRC repeats its call for an immediate ceasefire and for all hostages to be released.”
In light of the killings of WCK aid workers, six heads of United States-based NGOs operating in Gaza — Anera, CARE USA, Humanity & Inclusion, MedGlobal, Project HOPE, and Save the Children US — penned a letter to US President Joe Biden on April 4
In light of the killings of WCK aid workers, six heads of United States-based NGOs operating in Gaza — Anera, CARE USA, Humanity & Inclusion, MedGlobal, Project HOPE, and Save the Children US — penned a letter to US President Joe Biden on April 4.
The letter demanded an independent investigation, withholding offensive arms transfers to the Israeli government, and an immediate and permanent cease-fire.
They called the deaths of the WCK “entirely preventable” and “just the latest example of disturbing aid worker casualties in Gaza at the hands of Israeli forces”.
The letter also noted that in the past six months, 203 aid workers have been killed in Gaza “more than in any recorded year to date”.
“With so many lives at stake, there can be no excuse for inaction, or for allowing this disastrous status quo to continue,” the letter read.
Nagapushpa Devendra, a West Asia analyst and research scholar at the University of Erfurt in Germany, told China Daily that “major problem” is that Israel’s actions are jeopardizing aid efforts.
Both the Biden and Netanyahu administrations “have insisted that they’re doing everything they can to maximize humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza, which also includes protecting the aid workers”, she said.
“However, the recent incidents question Israeli dedication to its commitment to the flow of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“Arresting or detaining the IDF will not solve the problem. It is clear that there is a lack of coordination or communications between the Israeli government and IDF here,” said Devendra.
“At this point, Gaza is in desperate need of aid and the international community, including Europe, must take concrete steps to protect the aid workers since the US or the Israeli government is failing to do so,” she added.
