Spanish PM: Israel’s explanation of aid worker attack ‘insufficient and unacceptable”
Pedro Sanchez, during a joint news conference with Qatar’s prime minister, has demanded further details from Israel about the killing of seven people working for World Central Kitchen in a Gaza air raid.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident “a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants”, adding that “this happens in war”.
“That is unacceptable and insufficient, and we are awaiting a much stronger and more detailed clarification, after which we’ll see what action to take,” Sanchez said.
World Central Kitchen was founded by Spanish American chef Jose Andres.
World Central Kitchen founder: Israel must ‘stop killing civilians today’
Jose Andres, the celebrity chef who founded World Central Kitchen, penned an op-ed for Israeli news site Ynet following the Israeli attack on his organisation’s aid convoy that killed seven staff.
“The air strikes on our convoy were not just some unfortunate mistake in the fog of war. It was a direct attack on clearly marked vehicles whose movements were known by the [Israeli military],” writes Andres. “It was also the direct result of his [PM Netanyahu’s] government’s policy to squeeze humanitarian aid to desperate levels.”
He adds: “Israel is better than the way this war is being waged. It is better than blocking food and medicine to civilians. It is better than killing aid workers who coordinate their movements.
“The Israeli government needs to open land routes to food and medicine today. It needs to stop killing civilians and aid workers today. It needs to start the long journey to peace today.”
‘Situation is becoming unbearable,’ British PM tells Netanyahu
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night following the killing of foreign aid workers, including three British citizens, saying he is “appalled”.
“Too many aid workers and innocent civilians have lost their lives in Gaza, the situation is becoming unbearable,” a government statement quoted Sunak as saying.
“The UK expects to see immediate action by Israel to end restrictions on humanitarian aid, deconflict with the UN and aid agencies, protect civilians, and repair vital infrastructure like hospitals and water networks.”
Sunak “reiterated that Israel’s rightful aim of defeating Hamas would not be achieved by allowing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”.
US says Israel has not violated international law during Gaza war
White House says aid worker killings should not affect ceasefire talks
The US does not expect the Israeli strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza to impact talks on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and releases of captives and Palestinian prisoners, the White House says.
“The ceasefire and hostage negotiations are ongoing,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters at a briefing. “I wouldn’t anticipate any particular impact on those discussions as a result of the strike yesterday.”
Translation: There won't be a ceasefire. Just like Israel, the US has enjoyed impunity for far too long. Who is going to hold the USA accountable though. Just as with Russia the UNSC is powerless due to vetoes. The whole political side of the UN only serves to control other countries.
