Pressure on Israel –

“World Central Kitchen” called for an independent investigation into the Israeli attacks that killed seven of its aid workers in the Gaza Strip and urged Australia, Canada, Poland, the United States and the United Kingdom — where the dead were from — to join. their claim, the NGO indicated in a statement yesterday.

“We call on the Israeli government to immediately preserve all documents, communications, video and/or audio recordings, and any other potentially relevant materials regarding the April 1 attacks,” the note stated.

Israel has said the attacks that hit the convoy carrying aid workers were a mistake and that it has opened an independent investigation.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin indicated that the incident “reinforces” concerns regarding Israeli plans to expand its ground offensive to Rafah, in the south of the enclave.

Additionally, he “expressed outrage” over the attacks during a telephone conversation with his Israeli colleague, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the night before last, according to a Pentagon transcript.

The army carried out several attacks on the convoy of three cars, at least one of which was clearly marked with the charity’s logo.

Suspend mission

In Madrid, the Spanish NGO “Open Arms” announced yesterday the suspension of its mission in alliance with “World Central Kitchen” in the humanitarian corridor towards the Gaza Strip.

“With the arrival yesterday of the Open Arms ship in Larnaca (Cyprus), the mission in alliance with World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the humanitarian corridor to the Gaza Strip is suspended, following the devastating attack suffered by the organization’s humanitarian convoy founded by chef José Andrés, and the death of seven WCK collaborators,” says a statement from the Spanish NGO sent to EFE.

“This attack, carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) last Monday, marks a painful turning point in our efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” he adds.

“We deeply mourn the loss of Saifeddin, Zomi, Damian, Jacob, John, Jim, and James, dedicated members of WCK, and valued companions on this mission, murdered in an act of incomprehensible violence,” the NGO notes.

“This happened,” he says, “despite the fact that the organization had coordinated its movements with the Israeli authorities, who were aware of its itinerary, route and humanitarian mission.”

Biden advised

In Washington, US President Joe Biden yesterday warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that US support for the war in the Gaza Strip would change if he does not take concrete actions to minimize harm to civilians and guarantee security. of humanitarian workers.

The phone call, which lasted regarding 30 minutes, was the first direct contact between the two leaders since the attack that killed seven WCK collaborators on April 1.

According to the White House in a statement, Biden used the call to ask Netanyahu to announce and implement “a series of specific, concrete and measurable steps to address harm to civilians, humanitarian suffering and the safety of aid workers.” .

He went on to warn that his government’s future policy toward Gaza will depend on the actions Israel takes to fulfill those requests.

In a similar tone, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday at a press conference in Brussels that Washington will modify its policies towards Israel if there are no changes in the Israeli military strategy in the Gaza Strip, where more than 33,000 people have died.