Bodies of 6 foreign aid workers slain in Israeli strikes are transported out of Gaza
The bodies of six foreign aid workers killed in a series of Israeli strikes were transported out of the Gaza Strip and into Egypt on Wednesday ahead of their repatriation, Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV reported.
According to the Associated Press, the deadly strikes have renewed criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war with Hamas, and highlighted the perilous conditions aid workers face in trying to deliver food.
The three British citizens, a Polish citizen, an Australian and a Canadian American dual citizen worked for World Central Kitchen, a charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.
Their Palestinian driver was also killed. His remains were handed over to his family for burial in Gaza.
The seven were distributing food that had been brought into Gaza through a newly established maritime corridor late Monday when Israeli airstrikes targeted their three vehicles.
Israel said it carried out the strikes by mistake and that it has launched an independent investigation into how it happened.
Some of Israel’s closest allies, including the United States, condemned the deaths, which led the World Central Kitchen and other charities to suspend food deliveries, citing the dire security situation.
Israel is increasingly finding itself isolated amidst mounting international condemnation of its assault on Gaza. Simultaneously, actions such as the reported strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of two Iranian generals, and the move to shut down a foreign media outlet, Al Jazeera television, have fueled further concerns.
Critics point to incidents like the attack on a charity convoy as evidence of Israel’s indiscriminate bombing and disregard for civilian lives in Gaza.