Eduardo González
The Israeli Army has assured that the attack that last Monday cost the lives of seven aid workers from the humanitarian convoy of World Central Kitchen (WCK), the NGO of Spanish chef José Andrés, was due to a “serious identification error” and has ordered the dismissal of two commanders involved in the attack. The NGO has demanded an “independent commission” of investigation because Israel “is not credible.”
According to the investigation, carried out by the Fact Investigation and Evaluation Mechanism (the body in charge of assessing possible criminal responsibility in acts of combat, under the command of General Yoav Har Even) and made public yesterday by the Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi, the Israeli Army made “a serious identification error” with the seven aid workers, whom it confused with Hamas “gunmen.”
The three vehicles had just unloaded food aid at a warehouse in Deir al Balah and were attacked as they were leaving the place after “one of the commanders” “mistakenly” believed that “two Hamas terrorists” were traveling inside. The attack, the report concludes, was carried out by firing three missiles from a drone, despite the fact that the convoy was “perfectly identified”, which represents “a serious violation of the orders and standard operating procedures of the forces.” armed forces of Israel. “The incident should not have happened,” it adds.
Consequently, Herzi Halevi has ordered the dismissal of the brigade’s fire support commander, an officer with the rank of major; and the head of the brigade, a colonel in the reserve, and the reprimand of the commanders of the brigade and the 162nd division, which operates in the center of the Strip.
Those killed in the attack were the Palestinian Saifeddin Ayad Abutaha, the Australian Lalzawmi Frankcom, the Polish Damian Soból, the Canadian-American Jacob Flickinger and the British John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby.
WCK has not been convinced at all by the Israeli version and has demanded the creation of an “independent commission to investigate the murders of our colleagues” considering that the Israeli Armed Forces “cannot credibly investigate its own failure in Gaza.” “His apology for the heinous murder of our colleagues comes as cold comfort,” said WCK Executive Director Erin Gore. “Israel must take concrete measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers,” she added.
Last Thursday, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, described as “insufficient and unacceptable” the “alleged” explanations of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu (in which he assured that the attack carried out by an Israeli drone was not “intentional”). ), and demanded “a much more detailed, much more detailed clarification of what were the causes, the reason for this bombing, also taking into account that, from what is known so far, the Israeli Government knew of the action and the itinerary of this NGO on the ground in Gaza.” “From there, we will see what actions we take regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government,” he warned.
Netanyahu himself had a tense conversation this week with the president of the United States, Joe Biden, who threatened to withdraw his country’s support for Israel if the humanitarian situation in the Strip did not improve and do more to protect civilians. In response, Israel yesterday ordered the opening of the port of Ashdod and the Erez Pass to allow aid to flow directly into northern Gaza and to significantly increase deliveries from Jordan through the Kerem Shalom Pass in southern Gaza. territory.
