Israeli Airstrike on Aid Convoy in Gaza Raises Concerns of Deliberate Targeting

Chef José Andrés has raised serious concerns about the recent deadly Israeli airstrike on a World Central Kitchen charity’s team in the Gaza Strip. The attack resulted in the killing of seven aid workers on Monday, as reported by Reuters.

The Israel Defense Forces and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially labeled the airstrikes as a mistake common in times of war. However, Andrés dismissed this explanation, emphasizing that the aid workers’ vehicles were clearly marked, indicating their humanitarian mission.

In interviews with various news outlets, Andrés mentioned that the convoy was targeted in an area controlled by the IDF and that the vehicles’ movements were known to the military. He suggested that the airstrikes were not accidental but a systematic targeting of the aid workers.

Andrés, visibly emotional, expressed his personal connection to the deceased aid workers, highlighting the tragedy that unfolded in Gaza. The IDF, on the other hand, claimed the attack was due to misidentification, a statement Andrés strongly refuted.

Nir Barkat, Israel’s economy minister, defended the military’s actions, dismissing Andrés’ claims as ‘nonsense’ on BBC News and terming it as a ‘grave mistake.’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Sydney demanded full transparency from Israel regarding the incident, rejecting the notion that such attacks are inevitable in conflicts.

The U.S. State Department weighed in, calling for a thorough investigation by Israel and emphasizing the need for accountability in case of negligence. The incident has already impacted humanitarian operations in Gaza, with World Central Kitchen and Anera suspending their aid work in the region.

President Biden is set to discuss the matter with Netanyahu, expressing his dismay over the deadly airstrike on the aid convoy. The international community awaits further developments in this troubling event that has shocked observers worldwide.