WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Israel’s prime minister confirmed Tuesday his military carried out the “unintended strike” in Gaza that killed seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen, the food aid organization led by Washington, D.C.-based chef Jose Andres.
One of victims was an American-Canadian dual citizen. Condolences from across the globe are flooding into World Central Kitchen.
“These people are heroes,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The White House said it wants accountability.
“We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike,” said White House National Security Spokesperson, John Kirby.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Army said the deaths of the aid workers were unintentional and the military is investigating the tragedy.
“We will get to the bottom of this, and we will share our findings transparently,” said Israeli Army Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that “it happens in war.”
The White House said President Biden has been briefed and spoke with World Central Kitchen founder chef Jose Andres.
“The president conveyed that he will make clear to Israel that humanitarian aid workers must be protected,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
In a statement, World Central Kitchen called the attack unforgivable and said it is pausing operations in Gaza.
The organization said it had alerted both the Israelis and Hamas that they would be working in the area.
“The more violent it gets for humanitarian aid workers… the less likely it is that they’re going to be willing to take those risks, which means it’s more likely that the people of Gaza are going to just suffer all the more,” said Kirby.
About 200 humanitarian aid workers have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization said these latest deaths must be a call to action for Israel.
“The world has agreed: a cease-fire must happen,” said WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris.
The White House said officials tried to convince Israel to deescalate Monday but had no major breakthroughs.
The White House is planning to host a scaled-down reception for Ramadan Tuesday night given the ongoing war and criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to aid for Israel.
