In the wake of the attack on an aid convoy in Gaza that killed seven members of the US-based food charity World Central Kitchen, doubts emerge regarding the official Israeli narrative surrounding the incident. The attack brings the total number of aid workers killed in Gaza to 196, including over 175 UN staff.
American officials, speaking anonymously to US news outlet Politico, have expressed scepticism about Israeli claims that the aid convoy attack was unintentional. Questions have been raised about whether those responsible for the deaths will be held accountable for their actions.
One official, who had previously worked closely with World Central Kitchen founder Joe Andres, pointed to the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh two years ago by an Israeli soldier. The official highlighted that despite overwhelming evidence suggesting deliberate targeting, there have been no consequences.
The use of three missiles in the convoy attack has also raised suspicions among officials, with one remarking, “Three hits on three cars in a row is not an accident.”
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly called for a comprehensive investigation into the killings. Speaking during a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, she emphasised the importance of Israel adhering to international law and stated that Canada would ensure Israel complies with its obligations regarding the incident.
Omar Ashour, a professor of military and security studies at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, suggested that there was likely communication within the Israeli military indicating intentionality before the third vehicle was targeted. Ashour highlighted the significant expense of the missiles used in the strikes, suggesting that authorisation would likely require command-level approval. However, he noted that the Israeli military’s decentralised decision-making structure could allow junior officers to make quick decisions on the battlefield without consulting senior officials, drawing parallels with historical precedents.
The bodies of the six foreign aid workers killed in the Gaza strike are expected to be transported out via Egypt on Wednesday. The remains will be transported through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, according to Marwan al-Hams, director of Abu Youssef al-Najjar hospital in Gaza City.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that Israel continues to obstruct its efforts to bring essential aid, including food, into northern Gaza.
The UN-World Bank report estimates damages at $18.5 billion in the first four months of the Israeli attacks in Gaza. At least 32,975 Palestinians have been killed and 75,577 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October.