Israel‘s top general late Tuesday issued a formal apology for a deadly airstrike on a humanitarian convoy in Gaza that killed seven aid workers, calling it a “grave mistake” that will be investigated by an independent agency.
Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said the strike was not carried out with the intent of harming workers from World Central Kitchen, founded by Washington-based celebrity chef Jose Andres.
“It was a mistake that followed a misidentification at night, during the war, in very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened,” Gen. Halevi said in a statement. “The IDF works closely with the World Central Kitchen and greatly appreciates the important work that they do.”
The IDF has completed a preliminary inquiry into the incident. However, an independent agency will conduct a thorough investigation that will be completed in the “coming days,” Gen. Halevi said.
The Israeli army has established a Humanitarian Command Center to improve the way it coordinates with aid groups operating in Gaza, such as the World Central Kitchen. The IDF will take “immediate action” to ensure that more is done to protect humanitarian aid workers, Gen. Halevi said.
“This incident was a grave mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the people of Gaza,” he said. “We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of the WCK. We share in the grief of the families and the entire World Central Kitchen organization from the bottom of our hearts.”
The World Central Kitchen suspended its operations in Gaza after the IDF airstrike that hit a marked vehicle containing workers from multiple countries. President Biden expressed his outrage about the incident and White House officials said they are seeking answers from Israel about what happened.
“We obviously want to make sure that the investigation is completed and is as transparent as possible,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “There’s accountability to be had here.”
Officials with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank noted that Israel was quick to take responsibility for the fatal IDF airstrike and pledged an investigation of the incident.
“This is how responsible democracies should conduct themselves when tragic mistakes are made in war – in this case, a just war against a brutal terror group,” said Richard Goldberg, a senior FDD adviser. “Those who believe democracies like the United States or Israel would ever intentionally target aid workers live in a Hamas-curated world.”
But the incident is proving another diplomatic headache for the government of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, as governments around the world have criticized the airstrike.
The Associated Press, citing Egyptian television accounts, reported Wednesday that the bodies of the six foreign aid workers — three British citizens, a Polish citizen, an Australian and a Canadian-American dual citizen — were being transported to their home countries for burial. The group’s Palestinian driver was also killed, and his remains were handed over to his family for burial in Gaza.