Netanyahu admits ‘unintended airstrike’ killed ‘3 Brit aid workers’ & says ‘it happens in war’ as food ships are halted

The volunteers were in cars branded with a charity logo when they were hit

ISRAEL has admitted it "unintentionally" killed seven aid workers including Brits after blasting a convoy of cars in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu said his office is investigating the "tragic case" and added: "This happens in war."

The burnt-out wreckage of World Central Kitchen’s carCredit: EPA

A hole in the top of the charity’s carCredit: EPA

 

Blood-stained British, Polish, and Australian passports were found after the airstrikeCredit: AP

 

Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was confirmed dead by her government in CanberraCredit: World Central Kitchen

 

Six aid workers from the UK, Australia, and Poland, dual citizens of the US and Canada, and their Palestinian driver were killed while travelling in a deconflicted zone, charity World Central Kitchen said.

Two UK nationals have been confirmed dead. According to the Associated Press, three Brits were killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today said his troops "unintentionally" hit them - and insisted measures will be taken to stop this happening again.

He said in a video address today: "Unfortunately, in the last day there was a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip.

"This happens in wartime. We are thoroughly looking into it, are in contact with the governments (of the foreigners among the dead) and will do everything to ensure it does not happen again."

The volunteers were in two armoured cars branded with the WCK logo after unloading more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid at a warehouse in Deir al-Balah were they were hit on Monday.

Shocking footage showed the victims’ bodies, several wearing protective gear with the charity’s logo on, at a hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah.

Haunting images show bloodied passports of some of the victims - among them a British one - found among the debris.

Charred WCK uniforms were also found in the car wreckage.

The international food charity immediately suspended its operations in the region.

Three aid ships arrived from Cyprus on Monday carrying supplies, organised by the charity and the UAE.

The charity’s team had unloaded around 100 tonnes before the blast - but the remaining 240 tonnes will now be sent back, Cypriot foreign ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis said.

WCK chief executive Erin Gore said in a statement: "This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war.

"This is unforgivable.

"I am heartbroken and appalled that we-World Central Kitchen and the world-lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF.

"The love they had for feeding people, the determination they embodied to show that humanity rises above all, and the impact they made in countless lives will forever be remembered and cherished."

Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was named as one of the seven killed.

Earlier the charity said: "This is a tragedy. Humanitarian aid workers and civilians should never be a target. Ever.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the IDF had "expressed the deepest condolences" to the families of those killed.

Volunteers from World Central Kitchen were killed in the strike

Paramedics at the scene following the blast

He said: "Last night, an incident took place in Gaza that resulted in the tragic death of World Central Kitchen employees as they fulfilled their vital mission of bringing food to people in need.

"As a professional military committed to international law, we are committed to examining our operations thoroughly and transparently.

"I just spoke to WCK founder chef Jose Anders and expressed the deepest condolences of the Israel Defence Forces to the families and the entire World Central Kitchen family.

"We also express sincere sorrow to our allied nations who have been doing and continue to do so much to assist those in need."

The UK’s foreign secretary David Cameron has called on Israel to "immediately investigate" the incident.

And Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he is “shocked and saddened” by the death of a British aid worker in Gaza, saying “clearly there are questions that need to be answered”.

On Monday, the IDF said: "Following the reports regarding the World Central Kitchen personnel in Gaza today, the IDF is conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident.

"The IDF makes extensive efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and has been working closely with World Central Kitchen in their vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza."

Emma Davis