Israeli army admits aid worker deaths were a 'grave mistake'

Israel's army on Wednesday acknowledged that it had committed a "grave mistake" when it killed seven aid workers from a U.S. charity in an air strike in Gaza.

"This incident was a grave mistake," Israeli Defense Forces chief Herzi Halevi said in a video message on X, blaming "a misidentification – at night during a war in very complex conditions."

"It shouldn't have happened," he said.

Seven staff from U.S.-based food aid charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) were killed when a strike hit their convoy in the Gazan town of Deir al-Balah on Monday. According to the organization, those killed included Australian, British, Palestinian, Polish and U.S.-Canadian staff.

Since the start of the conflict, the non-governmental organization has been involved in humanitarian operations in Gaza and was one of two groups spearheading efforts to deliver food aid arriving by sea from Cyprus.

The group said it is suspending its operations in the region following the strike.

Explanations demanded

The White House said on Tuesday that it was "outraged" by the aid workers' deaths and that Israel had an obligation to ensure aid workers in Gaza were not harmed.

U.S. President Joe Biden called WCK founder Jose Andres to express condolences. Washington will press Israel to do more to protect aid workers, the White House said.

Israel completed a preliminary probe on Tuesday, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told media at a press briefing at the White House. "But we expect a broader investigation to be conducted and to be done so in a swift and comprehensive manner. We hope those findings will be made public and that there is appropriate accountability."

In a call on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Britain was appalled by the deaths, which included three Britons, and demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation, Sunak's office said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he expressed "anger and concern" to Netanyahu in a separate call.

The United Nations, which has warned of a looming famine in Gaza, again called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

At least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since October, according to the United Nations, and Hamas has previously accused Israel of targeting aid distribution sites.

(With input from agencies)