World Central Kitchen has responded to the findings of the IDF probe into the killing of seven of its aid workers, saying that Israel’s military had taken “important steps forward” but that its apologies will be “cold comfort” for the victims’ families.
The charity said that it is demanding “the creation of an independent commission to investigate the killings of our WCK colleagues,” adding that “The IDF cannot credibly investigate its own failure in Gaza.”
The disaster relief group’s founder, José Andrés, said: “It’s not enough to simply try to avoid further humanitarian deaths, which have now approached close to 200.” He added: “All civilians need to be protected, and all innocent people in Gaza need to be fed and safe. And all hostages must be released.”
“Their apologies for the outrageous killing of our colleagues represent cold comfort,” the charity’s CEO Erin Gore said. “It’s cold comfort for the victims’ families and WCK’s global family.”
World Central Kitchen also said in its statement this morning that:
“The IDF has acknowledged its responsibility and its fatal errors in the deadly attack on our convoy in Gaza. It is also taking disciplinary action against those in command and committed to other reforms. These are important steps forward.”
“However it is also clear from their preliminary investigation that the IDF has deployed deadly force without regard to its own protocols, chain of command and rules of engagement. The IDF has acknowledged that our teams followed all proper communications procedures. The IDF’s own video fails to show any cause to fire on our personnel convoy, which carried no weapons and posed no threat.”
“Without systemic change, there will be more military failures, more apologies and more grieving families.”
“The root cause of the unjustified rocket fire on our convoy is the severe lack of food in Gaza. Israel needs to dramatically increase the volume of food and medicine traveling by land if it is serious about supporting humanitarian aid.”
“Food is a universal human right. WCK is proud to have fed families across Israel after October 7, and we continue to demand the release of all hostages.. At the same time, we believe Palestinian families have the same universal right to food, water and medicine. We know Israelis, deep down, share the same values.”
“Israel needs to take concrete steps to assure the safety of humanitarian aid workers. Our operations remain suspended.”
Read More: IDF dismisses 2 senior officers over killing of Gaza aid workers; World Central