PARIS: The United States and Britain led international criticism Tuesday of a deadly strike in the Gaza Strip that killed seven charity staff as they unloaded desperately needed aid brought by sea to the war-torn territory.
World Central Kitchen — one of two NGOs spearheading efforts to deliver aid by boat — said a “targeted Israeli strike” on Monday killed Australian, British, Palestinian, Polish and US-Canadian staff.
Washington, Israel’s main ally, said it was “heartbroken and deeply troubled by the strike”.
“Humanitarian aid workers must be protected as they deliver aid that is desperately needed,” US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Israel has killed 400 Palestinians in and around Al Shifa
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike was “unintentional”. The Israeli army has vowed to hold an investigation and promised to “share our findings transparently”.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron — who has been increasingly critical of Israel’s war in Gaza — said the country had “called on Israel to immediately investigate and provide a full, transparent explanation of what happened”.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked and saddened” after learning that a Briton was among those killed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slammed the “completely unacceptable” attack, and called it a “tragedy that should never have occurred”.
Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says war death toll at 32,845
He offered “sincere condolences” to the family of Australian volunteer Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, who was killed in the strike.
“She just wanted to help out through this charity. That says everything about the character of this young woman,” Albanese said.