2 apr 2024 om 11:47
The United States, Spain, Poland and Australia want a quick explanation from Israel about the death of seven employees of the aid organization World Central Kitchen. The victims included a Pole, an Australian and someone with dual American and Canadian nationality.
According to World Central Kitchen (WCK), the seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza. They had just delivered 100 tons of food and other relief supplies there.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked Israel for clarification. “This is a tragedy that should never have happened. It is completely unacceptable,” the prime minister said at a news conference.
Albanese received support from his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez. “I hope and demand that the Israeli government quickly provides an explanation for this brutal attack,” the Spanish prime minister said. WCK was founded by Spanish-born chef José Andrés.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski reports that he has asked the Israeli ambassador for explanations.
A British aid worker is also among the victims, WCK reports. Earlier on Tuesday, British Education Minister Gillian Keegan told the BBC that the cabinet had not yet received confirmation of the Briton’s death. According to Keegan, the government is “very concerned”.
Israeli Defense Forces: ‘WCK did a noble job’
The Israeli military says it is conducting “a thorough investigation at the highest level” to understand “the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.” According to the army, an independent agency will be deployed for this purpose.
The US had already pushed for such an investigation. The White House said earlier on Tuesday that it was “very concerned” about the deaths of the aid workers.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari says he has spoken to WCK founder Andrés to offer his condolences on behalf of the army for the loss of the seven employees. According to Hagari, WCK did “noble” work in Gaza and the organization was of “great importance”.
The aid organization announced earlier on Tuesday that it would halt its activities in the Gaza Strip until further notice. WCK started delivering relief supplies by sea last month. The aid organization organizes the missions together with the Spanish organization Open Arms.
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Tags: Spain Poland Australia clarification Israel death aid workers War Israel Hamas
