An Israeli inquiry has blamed a series of “grave errors” by military personnel, including lack of coordination and misidentification, for its killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza through drone strikes.
In an interview with the BBC, the IDF lieutenant-colonel Peter Lerner said the Israeli military had been unable to recognise the vehicles as belonging to the international aid organisation.
The Israel Defense Forces said they had dismissed a brigade chief of staff with the rank of colonel and a brigade fire support officer with the rank of major and issued formal reprimands to senior officers, including the general at the head of the southern command.
The findings are likely to renew scepticism over the military’s decision-making. Palestinians, aid groups and human rights organisations have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of firing recklessly at civilians throughout the conflict – a charge Israel denies.
Israeli inquiry blames WCK aid killings on ‘grave errors’ by military personnel
