Guterres referred to murder of members of World Central Kitchen group

Various parties across the world urged independent investigations into the killing of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in an overnight Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, Reuters reports.

 

Citing that the essential problem is not who made the mistakes, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Friday for independent investigations and meaningful change on the ground from Israel.

 

"The Israeli government has acknowledged mistakes and announced disciplinary measures. But the essential problem is not who made the mistakes, it is the military strategy and procedures in place that allow for those mistakes to multiply time and time again. Fixing those failures requires independent investigations and meaningful change on the ground," he said.

 

Guterres repeated his urgent appeals for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

 

On Friday local time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a conclusion of the investigation into the incident, acknowledging it as a grave mistake. Two commanders were dismissed from their positions, and various were formally reprimanded.

 

According to the statement, the grave mistake stems from "a serious failure due to a mistaken identification, errors in decision-making, and an attack contrary to the Standard Operating Procedures."

 

The WCK, the charity struck by Israel, denounced in a statement Israel's investigation as inadequate and demanded independent investigation.

 

The organization also said that "Without systemic change, there will be more military failures, more apologies and more grieving families."

 

After a Polish citizen was among the seven fatalities, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned on Friday the Israeli ambassador and handed a diplomatic note. Poland also expressed its desire for Polish prosecutors to participate in Israel's criminal investigation.

 

Moreover, three British citizens died in the Israeli attack, prompting fervent calls in the UK to halt weapons sales to Israel.