A Palestinian inspects a vehicle with the World Central Kitchen logo that was damaged in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Bala, Gaza Strip.
Ismael Abu Daya/AP
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Ismael Abu Daya/AP
A Palestinian inspects a vehicle with the World Central Kitchen logo that was damaged in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Bala, Gaza Strip.
Ismael Abu Daya/AP
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – The Israeli military concluded on Tuesday that an investigation into an airstrike that killed seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip concluded that the strike was carried out in “serious violation” of military operational procedures, leading military officials to say announced that they would be dismissed and disciplined.
Israelis attacked a three-vehicle convoy of food charity World Central Kitchen, which runs one of Gaza's most prominent aid operations to combat dire food shortages, killing one American. It was the first visit by international aid officials, including Some have been killed in the Gaza Strip during Israel's continued attacks.
The incident marked a turning point in the war, with President Biden saying he would condition U.S. Gaza policy on Israel taking steps to protect civilians and aid workers. Local aid workers from the United Nations and other aid groups have been killed in Israeli attacks before.
World Central Kitchen welcomed the Israeli military's investigation and disciplinary action against military personnel, but called for an “independent commission” to investigate the airstrike.
“The Israel Defense Forces are unable to credibly investigate their own failures in Gaza,” the group said in a statement, using the initials of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari and Yoav Ha'even, who heads the military unit investigating the alleged wrongdoing, spoke at a news conference with journalists late Thursday about the “many mistakes” that led to the deadly attack. Stated.
When the three-car convoy left the warehouse, soldiers thought the group in the car was carrying a rifle, but in hindsight it appeared to be just a bag, military officials told reporters. He said this at a press conference.
The Israeli military said Israeli aerial surveillance cameras could not see the World Central Kitchen logo on the roof of the vehicle because it was night, just after 10 p.m.
People inspect the scene where a World Central Kitchen employee was killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Aid group World Central Kitchen said seven people were killed in Israeli military attacks on workers in the Gaza Strip.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
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People inspect the scene where a World Central Kitchen employee was killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Aid group World Central Kitchen said seven people were killed in Israeli military attacks on workers in the Gaza Strip.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
The military said in a written statement Friday that its commanders “incorrectly assumed that armed men were in the accompanying vehicle and that they were Hamas terrorists.” “The military did not identify the vehicle in question as being associated with WCK.”
The statement said two people, the brigade fire support commander, a major, and the brigade chief of staff, a reserve colonel, were dismissed as a result of the incident.
The remaining two will face formal disciplinary action: the brigade commander, a colonel, and the division commander, a brigadier general.
“The findings of the investigation show that the incident should not have occurred,” the military said in a statement. “Those authorizing the strike were convinced that they were targeting armed Hamas operatives and not WCK personnel.The strike on aid vehicles was a result of mistaken identity, poor decision-making, and “a serious mistake resulting from a serious failure by the attack” that violates standard operating procedures. ”
The military said it had briefed World Central Kitchen on its findings. He expressed “deep sadness” over the deaths of seven aid workers and vowed to continue coordinating international aid efforts to protect the lives of aid workers.
“The root cause of the unwarranted rocket fire against our convoy is the severe food shortage in Gaza,” World Central Kitchen said in a response to the military investigation. “If Israel is serious about providing humanitarian assistance, it needs to significantly increase the amount of food and medicine it transports by land.”
Aron Avital in Tel Aviv contributed reporting.
