U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the U.S. has received Israel’s report on the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza in an airstrike. The Israeli military said it has dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in the drone strikes, which killed seven aid workers, saying they mishandled critical information and violated the army’s rules of engagement.
Quick Read
- US Review of Israel’s Report: Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated the US is examining Israel’s report on the airstrike that killed World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, with discussions planned with Israeli officials and humanitarian organizations.
- Israeli Military Accountability: The Israeli military acknowledged mishandling critical information and violating rules of engagement in the incident, resulting in the dismissal of two officers and reprimands for three others.
- Future Preventive Measures: Blinken emphasized the importance of Israel taking responsibility and holding individuals accountable, as well as implementing procedural changes to protect aid workers and prevent similar incidents in the future.
- US-Israel Consultations: Blinken mentioned forthcoming discussions with Israel on steps to improve deconfliction and coordination to safeguard humanitarian workers.
The Associated Press has the story:
Blinken says US has received Israel’s report on killing of aid workers
Newslooks- BRUSSELS — (AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the U.S. has received Israel’s report on the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza in an airstrike.
The Israeli military said it has dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in the drone strikes, which killed seven aid workers, saying they mishandled critical information and violated the army’s rules of engagement.
“We’re reviewing it very carefully, we’ll be discussing its conclusions with Israeli officials and with humanitarian organizations in the days to come,” Blinken said in Brussels. “It’s very important that Israel is taking full responsibility for this incident. It’s also important that it appears to be taking steps to hold those responsible accountable.”
“Even more important is making sure that steps are taken going forward to ensure that something like this can never happen again,” Blinken added.
Blinken said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated to President Biden that Israel would be making additional changes to its procedures to make sure that aid workers are protected.
“So, we’re going to be looking very carefully at what those steps are, how it achieves better deconfliction, better coordination, so that aid workers are protected,” he said.
