‘Outraged’: US Rejects Israeli Air Strike in Gaza That Killed Relief Workers
Following an Israeli bombing in Gaza that claimed the lives of seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), the White House said on Tuesday that it was “outraged” and that President Joe Biden had spoken with the founder of the nonprofit organization to offer his condolences. At a briefing in Washington, White House spokeswoman John Kirby told reporters, “We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen.”
When asked whether the United States would denounce the Israeli bombing, Kirby said, “I think you can fairly characterize that as condemning the strike itself,” in reference to his use of the term “outraged.”
White House spokesman Karine Jean-Pierre said at the same briefing that Biden informed WCK founder Jose Andres that he would make it plain to Israel that aid workers need to be safeguarded.
Along with Palestinians and a dual citizen of the US and Canada, the attack on the WCK convoy claimed the lives of nationals of Australia, Britain, and Poland. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, had previously said that the incident was sad and unintentional, and the Israeli military had promised an impartial investigation.
Kirby said that the Israelis had “already said this was on them.” “There’s accountability to be held here.” Kirby said, “There are deconfliction issues that clearly need to be fleshed out and improved,” and stated that the United States will keep ensuring that Israel is able to defend itself.
