President Biden expressed his deep sorrow and indignation over the Israel Defense Forces' airstrike that tragically claimed the lives of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also conveyed Israel's profound regret, while the IDF attributed the incident to a "grave mistake" and a "misidentification."
The attack resulted in the deaths of four relief workers: Lalzawmi Frankcom, 43, from Australia; Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, a 25-year-old Palestinian; Damian Soból, 35, from Poland; and Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old dual U.S.-Canadian citizen. Additionally, three British nationals on the food aid nonprofit’s security team lost their lives: John Chapman, 57; James Henderson, 33; and James Kirby, 47.
World Central Kitchen had recently delivered nearly 400 tons of food to Gaza, with about 100 tons already distributed when the tragic incident occurred.
The remaining 240 tons of aid will be returned to Cyprus, according to a Cypriot Foreign Ministry spokesman.
Following cease-fire discussions in Cairo, an Israeli delegation returned with an updated proposal for Hamas.
However, Hamas has yet to respond to these latest talks.
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that at least 32,916 people have been killed and 75,494 injured in Gaza since the conflict began.
Israel estimates that over 1,200 people were killed in a previous Hamas attack, including more than 300 soldiers, with 256 soldiers killed since the start of its military operation in Gaza.
World Central Kitchen's vehicles, marked with its distinctive logo, had become a common sight in Gaza. The aid group has been crucial in providing supplies to civilians amid the conflict.
The WCK team, including employees and volunteers from various countries, was traveling along a humanitarian corridor when the attack occurred.
They were part of the group's efforts to deliver aid from Europe to Gaza using a pop-up maritime supply chain.
President Biden, in a statement, called for Israel to release the findings of its investigation into the incident.
He described the aid workers as "brave and selfless" and expressed condolences to their families.
The Biden administration expects a thorough and prompt investigation with accountability.
While expressing regret over the incident, Israeli leaders emphasized that the strike was unintentional. The incident underscores the challenges faced in distributing aid in Gaza and the need for improved coordination to prevent such tragedies in the future.