Israel sacks officers after aid workers killed in Gaza

President Joe Biden wants "concrete" steps from Israel to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. (AP PHOTO)

An Israeli inquiry into the killing of seven aid workers in an air strike in Gaza has found serious errors and breaches of military procedure, resulting in two officers being dismissed and senior commanders formally reprimanded.

The inquiry found Israeli forces mistakenly believed they were attacking Hamas gunmen when drone strikes hit the three vehicles of the World Central Kitchen aid group, but that standard procedures had been violated.

"The strike on the aid vehicles is a grave mistake stemming from a serious failure due to a mistaken identification, errors in decision-making, and an attack contrary to the standard operating procedures," the military said in a statement on Friday.

It said it 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.

Following Israel's announcement, the WCK said the Israeli investigation is an important step but added that there needs to be a systemic change to prevent "more apologies and more grieving families".

The killing on Monday of the seven aid workers, who included citizens of Britain, Australia and Poland, a dual US Canadian national and a Palestinian colleague, triggered global outrage.

The seven World Central Kitchen workers who were killed in Gaza
Israel has come under increasing pressure over a strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza.

The increased pressure on Israel included US demands to increase humanitarian aid supplies into Gaza, with President Joe Biden warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that conditions could be placed on US aid if Israel did not respond.

Following the Thursday night phone call between the two leaders, the Israeli government announced it would reopen of the Erez crossing into northern Gaza and the temporary use of Ashdod port in southern Israel.

As well as reopening the Erez crossing point, which has been closed since it was destroyed during the October 7 attack on Israel, the security cabinet also approved increasing Jordanian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing point.

The White House welcomed the steps by Israel, but spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said they "must now be fully and rapidly implemented".

On Monday, Israel launched a drone attack that killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen group.

The group was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, who said the Israeli attack had targeted his aid workers "systematically, car by car".

Israel said on Thursday it would adjust tactics in the Gaza war after describing the attack as the result of a misidentification.

Smoke rises to the sky after an explosion in Gaza Strip
Israel says it will adjust its tactics in Gaza following the deadly strike on aid workers.

Biden, a lifelong supporter of Israel, has resisted pressure to withhold US aid or halt the shipment of weapons to the country.

His warning on Thursday marked the first time he has threatened to potentially condition aid, a development that could change the dynamic of the nearly six-month-old war.

Biden "made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers", the White House said of the leaders' phone call.

The president "made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps".

Washington is Israel's top weapons supplier and the Biden administration has mostly provided a diplomatic shield for it at the United Nations.

At a briefing after the call, White House spokesperson John Kirby declined to elaborate on any specific changes the US would make in its policy towards Israel and Gaza.

Asked about possible changes in US policy, Netanyahu spokesperson Tal Heinrich told Fox News: "I think it's something that Washington will have to explain."

Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli air strike
Israel's war on Hamas has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza officials.

During the call, Biden also urged Netanyahu to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal to bring home hostages captured by Hamas in its deadly October 7 attack that triggered the Israeli offensive.

Islamist fighters of the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel retaliated by imposing a total siege on Gaza, then launching an air and ground assault that has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, say health authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Biden supported Israel staunchly in the early days of its retaliation.

But as the Gaza death toll rose and the war widened with new fronts in Lebanon and Yemen, his administration began pushing for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store