The Israeli strikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers in Gaza are “unforgivable,” the organization’s founder, José Andrés, said as he criticized the Israel Defense Forces inquiry into the killings.
Andrés called for an independent investigation and better evidence from the IDF in an interview with ABC’s Martha Raddatz that aired Sunday, adding that Israel cannot properly investigate itself.
What Israel has said: In a report published Friday, the IDF said the strike was a “grave mistake” and that troops thought they were attacking Hamas gunmen when drone strikes targeted three vehicles of the WCK late Monday night.
More from Andrés: The aid group founder doubts Israel’s claim that it failed to identify the vehicles because it was dark out. Andrés said WCK vehicles are white with a colorful logo painted above, and that Israel’s high-tech drones should have no issue identifying them.
The IDF had said that because the strikes happened at night, the surveillance drones could not see the WCK logo on the vehicles, and that it is considering distributing thermal stickers for aid vehicles to prevent this happening again.
“This doesn’t seem (like) a war against terror. This doesn’t seem anymore a war about defending Israel. This, really at this point, seems (like) a war against humanity itself,” Andrés said.
He also urged the US to put out concrete measures to ensure Israel avoids killing civilians and aid workers — instead of just giving warnings. “There should already be consequences,” he said, commenting on the latest White House warning for Israel to do better at protecting civilians.
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