President Joe Biden expressed "outrage and heartbreak" over the killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers, including an American, during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. In a statement released by the White House, Biden emphasized the tragic loss of these "brave and selfless" individuals who were attempting to provide food to civilians amid the conflict. He called for a "swift" and transparent investigation from Israel into the incident.
The call comes after a violent episode has once again plucked lives from a war that doesn't seem to tire of death. Not unique in their fates, these aid workers join a growing list of those killed in the chaos of aid delivery in Gaza. Yesterday’s horror underscores a grave concern over Israel's measures to protect those who wade into the suffering to extend a helping hand. Biden said that these incidents "simply should not happen" and made it clear that the U.S. has urged Israel to make efforts to prevent civilian casualties.
According to the President, measures to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza will press on. Biden has pledged continued support and is pushing for an "immediate ceasefire" as part of a broader negotiation process, with a team already on the ground in Cairo trying to broker peace.
Paying tribute to the courage of those who lost their lives, Biden relayed his heartfelt conversation with Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen. Speaking on the devastating losses, he said, "May God bless the humanitarian workers killed yesterday" and conveyed his sympathies to "comfort their families and loved ones in their grief." The message, as released by the White House, reflects an administration attempting to grapple with the intertwined complexities of diplomacy and humanitarian aid.
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