Israel faced a mounting crisis as its military strike in Gaza resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, drawing global condemnation and increasing pressure on the country to reduce civilian casualties in its campaign against the militant group Hamas.
The deadly strike on Monday targeted workers from World Central Kitchen, a prominent food assistance provider in Gaza founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.
The incident risks further isolating Israel and straining its relationship with the U.S., its key ally.
International concern has been growing over the nearly six-month-long war, which has claimed approximately 33,000 lives in Gaza, primarily women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities. The casualties include both militants and civilians.
The deaths of the aid workers, the first known fatalities among foreign aid workers in Gaza since the conflict began, have intensified pressure on Israel to safeguard individuals affected by the conflict.
President Biden expressed outrage and sorrow over the deaths, calling for a swift and transparent Israeli investigation and emphasizing Israel's responsibility to protect aid workers delivering crucial assistance to civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Israel's responsibility for the strike, describing it as a tragic incident and promising to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant initiated an inquiry into the killings and announced plans for direct coordination between the Israel Defense Forces and international aid organizations.
The victims of the attack were identified as Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, from the Palestinian territories; Lalzawmi (Zomi) Frankcom, 43, from Australia; Damian Soból, 35, from Poland; Jacob Flickinger, 33, from the U.S. and Canada; and John Chapman, 57, James (Jim) Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, all from the U.K.
The incident occurred as a convoy organized by World Central Kitchen was unloading food in Gaza, with workers traveling in armored vehicles clearly marked with the organization's logo.
Despite coordination with the Israeli military, the convoy was targeted, resulting in casualties and damage to the vehicles.
The rules of war mandate the protection of civilians and humanitarian groups, requiring combatants to avoid targeting them.
However, in Gaza, where there is no safe space for humanitarian operations due to its densely populated nature, incidents like Monday's are sadly not uncommon.
The deaths of the aid workers have prompted calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel has resisted until the release of hostages taken earlier in the conflict.
The pause in operations by aid groups threatens to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with other organizations expected to suspend activities due to safety concerns.
The international community has reacted strongly to the deaths, with leaders demanding explanations from Israel and urging measures to ensure the safety of aid workers on the ground.
The incident has underscored the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones and the need for greater protection of aid workers and civilians.