Israel has apologized for the accidental airstrike that killed seven aid workers.
On Wednesday morning, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Helj Halevi announced that a team of international personnel from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) was killed in an airstrike while returning from an aid shipment in Gaza.
“Let me be clear: the strike was not aimed at harming WCK aid workers,” Halevi said. “It was a mistake caused by a misunderstanding at night during a war under extremely complex conditions. It should never have happened.”
“This incident was a grave mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the people of Gaza. We regret any unintended harm caused to WCK members,” he added.
According to reports CBN News,Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met privately with leaders of the workers’ countries of origin.
“This is what happens in wars. We are checking thoroughly,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said. “We are in contact with the government and will do everything we can to ensure this never happens again.”
Meanwhile, the White House condemned the recent incident, pointing out how dangerous it is for workers in the Gaza Strip.
“More than 200 aid workers have died in this conflict, making it the deadliest crisis for aid workers in recent history,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. “This incident is emblematic of a larger problem and evidence of why it is so difficult to distribute aid to Gaza.”
So far, Israeli forces are preparing to invade Rafah, Hamas’ last stronghold, but also a temporary home for more than a million Gaza refugees.
The Biden administration opposes the invasion, but former Vice President Mike Pence has said it is necessary.
“Israel has no choice but to invade Rafah, hunt down Hamas, and destroy it once and for all,” Pence said.
He added that Americans should support Israel’s war effort rather than criticize it.
“If the Palestinians lay down their arms now and release all the hostages, we will have peace. But if the Israelis lay down their arms, we will have no Israel.”
Israel is currently under threat from Iran after a missile attack in Syria killed a top Iranian general and his aide and is blamed on the Jewish state.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of retaliation in the event of further attacks against Israel.
“We work every day to prevent our enemies from gaining ground and to make it clear to our adversaries across the Middle East that the cost of action against Israel is heavy. It’s active everywhere.” Gallant said.
Image credit: ©Getty Images/Christopher Furlong / Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributor to Christian Headlines and host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sound doctrine and Biblical truth. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.
