Poland asked Israel on Tuesday for clarification on Monday’s airstrike in the Gaza Strip, which killed seven humanitarian workers from the US organization World Central Kitchen (WCK).
A Polish citizen was also among the victims. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Tomasz immediately contacted the Israeli ambassador and demanded an explanation, his deputy Andrzej Szejna said. He added that Poland would contact the family of the killed Pole, whose name is known to authorities.
Szejna recalled the UN Security Council resolution, which called on Israel to immediately cease fire and not hinder humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He asserted that Israel had the “right” to “defend itself against the Hamas attack in October” but said the response must be proportionate. “That is not the case now,” said Szejna.
The self-defense argument is often cited by Israel’s allies, but under international law an occupying state has no right to “defend” itself against counterattacks by groups opposing the occupation.
Tomasz said on Polish radio station X that the Israeli army had acknowledged responsibility for the attack. He said he would speak soon with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz.
The Israeli military said it was conducting a “thorough investigation” into the “tragic” incident. Western-backed Israel has been carrying out a deadly offensive on Gaza since October. Some 33,000 Palestinians have been killed and 76,000 others injured, mainly children and women. Nearly nine in ten residents are displaced and suffer from a lack of food, water and medicine.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a preliminary ruling in January, the World Court ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and to stop obstructing international humanitarian aid to suffering civilians in Gaza.
In a new ruling on Thursday, the ICJ again ordered Israel to allow emergency aid facilities to Gazans.
Tags: Poland demands clarification Israel death Polish aid worker Gaza
