Gaza: Israeli Strikes Kill 7 World Central Kitchen Workers

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Facts

• Seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) staffers were killed on Monday after the Israeli military fired on an aid convoy belonging to the organization, allegedly believing an armed terrorist was among the group. Haaretz reported that an Israeli drone fired three missiles at the convoy, with the first missile stopping the convoy and the second two hitting two other cars shortly after.¹
• Israeli forces claimed they spotted an armed person riding on a truck alongside WCK cars entering an aid facility before the convoy set out.¹
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the attack was unintended and 'tragic,' pledging that Israel would conduct an independent inquiry. The attack killed Australian, UK, and Polish citizens, as well as a dual US-Canadian citizen and Palestinians assisting the convoy.²
• The WCK said that it had coordinated its movements with the Israeli military. The UAE, which backed the WCK's initiative to get food into Gaza, paused the project until it receives assurance from Israel that aid workers in the enclave will be protected.³
• Another aid organization, Anera, announced on Tuesday that it too would be pausing its operations in Gaza due to concerns over its staff's safety. In its statement, Anera accused Israel of demonstrating a pattern of targeting humanitarian aid workers.⁴
• The attack on the WCK convoy comes as negotiations over a hostage release and temporary truce in Gaza resumed again in Cairo this week, though no progress has been reported so far. Hamas was reportedly not expected at the talks.⁵

Sources: ¹The Times of Israel (a), ²Al Jazeera, ³Axios, ⁴The Times of Israel (b) and ⁵Reuters.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by POLITICO. Due to the complicated nature of unfortunate incidents like this one, Israel must conduct a thorough investigation to maintain its moral high ground and demonstrate that it's serious about ending this war. The US has proudly stood by Israel in its war against Hamas' terrorist forces. However, with every passing day that a temporary cease-fire is not in effect, Israel loses the strategic gains it has made and isolates itself on the international stage.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. This tragic security incident was an unfortunate reminder of one of the many difficulties Israel is facing. Israel has never and will never intentionally target civilians, and, to demonstrate its commitment to its principles, Israel will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The international community, even as it essentially forgets Hamas' Oct. 7 atrocities, must remember that Israel did not want this war and it has been forced to take dramatic action to ensure its survival.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Israel has committed yet another terrible massacre in Gaza only to be greeted with calls for an investigation and restraint. There already is more than enough evidence to suggest that Israeli forces have consistently targeted civilians, even foreign citizens, in the country's campaign to starve the people of Gaza into submission. Indeed, this massacre is another reminder of the lack of accountability Israel faces as it mercilessly continues its brutal war against Palestinians.

Predictions