Israel Sacks Officers Responsible for Killing 7 Aid Workers in Gaza

The Israel Defense Ministry has taken decisive action following the tragic accidental killing of seven workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the Gaza Strip.

The incident, which occurred on April 1 during an operation to transfer humanitarian aid, resulted in the mistaken targeting of WCK vehicles by Israel Defense Force (IDF) personnel.

The IDF has faced universal condemnation for using overwhelming lethal force on aid trucks in which it "saw" a couple of Hamas operatives.

The findings of the investigation into this grave incident were presented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism (FFAM), led by MG (res.) Yoav Har-Even, to IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi.

According to the investigation report presented on April 4, the IDF forces misidentified aid vehicles as carrying Hamas operatives, leading to the deadly strike that claimed the lives of seven innocent humanitarian aid workers. This tragic error was attributed to a series of mistaken identifications, errors in decision-making, and a breach of IDF Standard Operating Procedures.

In response to these findings, the IDF Chief of the General Staff has taken significant disciplinary measures. A brigade fire support commander and a brigade chief of staff (both with the rank of major and colonel in reserve, respectively) have been dismissed from their positions. Additionally, the brigade commander, the 162nd Division commander, and the commander of the Southern Command have all been formally reprimanded for their roles in the incident.

In a statement expressing regret and sorrow over the incident, the IDF emphasized its commitment to coordinating and supporting the vital humanitarian activities of international aid organizations while ensuring their safety. The IDF reiterated its dedication to upholding the values of law and ethics in military operations, emphasizing its ongoing efforts to prevent civilian casualties.

The World Central Kitchen organization was briefed on the investigation findings, with the IDF reaffirming its deep condolences to the families of the victims and its commitment to incorporating lessons learned from this incident into future operations.