Noting that more than 200 aid workers have been killed in the war so far – making it one of the worst for aid workers in recent history – National Security Council co-ordinator John Kirby told reporters:“We were outraged to learn of an IDF[Israel Defence Forces] strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen,which has been relentless at working to get food to those who are hungry in Gaza,and quite frankly,around the world.”
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“What is clear is that the IDF must do much more to improve deconfliction processes so that civilians and humanitarian aid workers are protected.
“Our expectation – and we’ve made this clear to[the Israelis] – is that they’ll come clean about what they’ve learned,they’ll be fully transparent,and if people need to be held accountable,that they’ll be held accountable.”
According to the World Central Kitchen,the incident took place as workers had been travelling through a “deconflicted zone” in two armoured cars carrying the group’s logo.
The charity said that despite organising travel with the Israeli military,the convoy was hit as it was leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
The group is now suspending its aid operations in Gaza,which the White House acknowledged would make the humanitarian crisis all the more difficult.
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World Central Kitchen had just offloaded food from a barge that had sailed from Cyprus when the attack occurred. That vessel,still loaded with about 240 tonnes of food,is now heading back to Cyprus.
The issue is also likely to further strain relations between the US and Israel,merely days after the US abstained on a vote at the UN Security Council on whether it supported an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war with militant group Hamas.
Despite this,the US has greenlighted the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel,angering critics who believe that military support should be scaled back unless Israel does more to limit civilian casualties.
Critics say arming Israel also violates US laws prohibiting military aid and weapon sales to countries engaged in rights abuses;however,the administration rejects this.
Asked on Monday whether recent weapons transfers damaged the credibility and sincerity of US statements decrying the crisis in Gaza,Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller replied:“I do not agree with that at all.”
“We have been very clear that we want to see Israel do everything it can to minimise civilian casualties. We have made clear that they need to operate at all times in full compliance with international humanitarian law,” he said.
“At the same time,we are committed to Israel’s right to self-defence,and this is a long-term commitment the United States has made.”
In Australia,friends,family,and the Albanese government paid tribute to Melbourne-born Frankcom,43,for her humanitarian work.
Albanese said the government had also contacted the Israeli government directly,and had called in Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon.
“We want full accountability for this because this is a tragedy that should never have occurred,” he said on Monday.
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