The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken responsibility for the fatal airstrikes that resulted in the death of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) on Monday.
What Happened: The IDF has dismissed two high-ranking officers following the global outrage sparked by the attack, Politico reports. The IDF’s internal investigation revealed major errors and protocol breaches that resulted in multiple strikes on the WCK aid convoy.
The IDF admitted that the attack was a “serious mistake” resulting from incorrect identification and decision-making, and a violation of open-fire regulations. Despite the IDF’s admission, calls for an independent investigation are growing. WCK has demanded the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the killings.
Erin Gore, CEO of WCK, expressed that the IDF’s apologies offer “cold comfort” to the victims’ families and WCK’s global family. The IDF announced the dismissal of two senior officers, a major and a colonel in reserve, for their roles in the airstrikes, with additional top commanders to be “formally reprimanded.”
Earlier this week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the unintentional killing of “innocent people” in Gaza due to an Israeli airstrike. Israel announced plans to open two new humanitarian routes to address the situation in Gaza.
This incident has sparked international outrage, with President Joe Biden expressing his dismay over the incident. Biden called for an expedited investigation and public disclosure of its findings.
Bracing For Iranian Attack: The incident has escalated tensions in the region. As reported by CBS News and The Hill, Israel and the U.S. believe Iran is about to retaliate for an Israeli bombing of a Syria consulate. This could mean renewed attacks on American troops and bases in Iraq and Syria by Tehran-backed proxies.
Israel launched an attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this week. The strike resulted in the death of several high-ranking members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to the Pentagon.
U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran is likely to retaliate with a counterattack involving Shaheed drones and cruise missiles. Although the timing and target are uncertain, officials believe that a proportional response would involve an attack on an Israeli diplomatic site. The strike is expected to take place between now and the conclusion of Ramadan, which is next week.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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