President Joe Biden spoke by phone with celebrity chef José Andrés and offered condolences Tuesday after an Israeli airstrike killed seven members of his food charity, according to the White House. “We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu that he is “appalled” by the killing of aid workers in an Israeli strike. The two leaders spoke after it was confirmed three U.K. citizens were among seven workers for a food charity killed in Gaza.
Quick Read
- Biden’s Response to Airstrike: President Joe Biden offered condolences to José Andrés after an Israeli airstrike killed seven members of Andrés’s food charity, World Central Kitchen.
- White House Reaction: National security spokesman John Kirby expressed outrage over the civilian casualties and concern over the impact on humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
- Humanitarian Operations Suspended: Following the airstrike, several aid organizations, including World Central Kitchen, paused their activities in Gaza.
- Casualties Among Allies: Among the deceased were citizens from countries closely allied with Israel, including a dual U.S.-Canada citizen.
- Military Aid to Israel Questioned: The White House faced inquiries about reconsidering U.S. military aid to Israel, with Kirby emphasizing the importance of Israel’s investigation into the incident.
- British Prime Minister’s Condemnation: U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his appallment to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu over the killing of aid workers, including three U.K. citizens.
- Call for Investigation: Sunak demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation into the airstrike and described the situation in Gaza as increasingly intolerable.
- Pressure on U.K.-Israel Relations: Amidst increasing criticism of Israel’s military actions, Sunak faces pressure to suspend U.K. arms exports to Israel and highlighted the need for Israel to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in its efforts against Hamas.
- U.N. Report on Casualties: According to the U.N., around 200 humanitarian workers have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden holds phone call with head of World Central Kitchen, offering condolences
Newslooks- WASHINGTON — (AP)
President Joe Biden spoke by phone with celebrity chef José Andrés and offered condolences Tuesday after an Israeli airstrike killed seven members of his food charity, according to the White House. “We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said.
Several humanitarian aid organizations suspended operations in Gaza on Tuesday, including World Central Kitchen. Kirby expressed concern that the killings could have a chilling impact on other groups carrying out aid operations in the territory.
Among the dead were citizens of some of Israel’s closest allies, including a U.S.-Canada dual citizen. The U.N. says around 200 humanitarian workers have been killed in the war so far.
The White House pushed back on whether the incident should lead the administration to reconsider providing military aid to Israel as it prosecutes its nearly six-month war in Gaza.
“The Prime Minister and the IDF have noted that it was their error,” Kirby said. “They’re investigating it. Let them do that work and let them see what they come up with, and then we’ll go from there.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TOLD ISRAELI LEADER THAT HE’S ‘APPALLED’ BY KILLING OF AID WORKERS IN GAZA
LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu that he is “appalled” by the killing of aid workers in an Israeli strike.
The two leaders spoke after it was confirmed three U.K. citizens were among seven workers for a food charity killed in Gaza.
Sunak’s office said he “demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation into what happened” and described the situation in Gaza as “increasingly intolerable.”
Britain is a staunch ally of Israeli, but Sunak has become increasingly critical of the conduct of the war. He is under pressure to suspend U.K. arms exports to Israel.
He told Netanyahu that “Israel’s rightful aim of defeating Hamas would not be achieved by allowing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”
The U.N. says at least 180 humanitarian workers have been killed in the war so far.
