Admittedly Misidentified In Deadly Attack Against Aid Convoy, Israel's Chief Of Military Staff: We Apologize

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (supports the chin). (Source: Israeli Defense Forces Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi apologized for Israel's deadly attack on an aid convoy in Gaza, admitting the attack was the result of an "misidentification" which was being investigated and studied.

"Last night, seven World Central Kitchen employees were killed," Halevi said in a video statement, his first response to the strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers, reported The Times of Israel, April 3.

"WCK is an organization whose members work all over the world, including in Israel to do good in difficult conditions. IDF works closely with World Central Kitchen and greatly appreciates the important work they do," he continued.

Lt. Gen. Halevi said the IDF had completed its initial investigation into the attack and the findings had been shared with him at the IDF Southern Command base.

"It was a mistake that occurred after misidentification, at night, during war, in very complex conditions. This should not have happened," he explained, adding that there was "no intention to harm WCK aid workers."

The IDF has set up a new humanitarian command center "to improve the way we coordinate aid distribution in Gaza," he said.

“I want to be very clear—the strike was not carried out with the intention of harming WCK aid workers. It was a mistake that followed a misidentification—at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened.”

Watch the full statement by IDF Chief of the… pic.twitter.com/JnvoJOTVg9

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 2, 2024

"We will continue to take urgent action to ensure more is done to protect humanitarian aid workers," he said.

An “independent” body will also investigate the incident and will present its findings in the coming days, he said, adding the IDF will immediately implement its conclusions and share them with the WCK and other relevant international organizations.

"This incident was a big mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the people of Gaza," stressed Halevi.

"We apologize for the unintentional loss to WCK members. We share the sadness of their families and the entire World Central Kitchen organization from the bottom of our hearts," he continued.

"We see the importance of continuing the delivery of humanitarian aid, and we will continue to work to facilitate this important effort," he added in a plea aimed at convincing aid groups not to abandon Israel as soon as the WCK halts its operations in Gaza.

As previously reported, Israeli air strikes killed seven aid workers from a team delivering food to civilians in Gaza, according to WCK and authorities in the enclave.

They were traveling in two armored cars bearing WCK logos and other vehicles, WCK said in a statement.

Although the convoy was coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), it was attacked as it left the Deir al-Balah warehouse, after unloading more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea, WCK said.