In the aftermath of the deadly strike on the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have issued apologies.
But pressure continues to escalate from the White House and humanitarian organisations for Israel to take immediate action to safeguard noncombatants and allow more humanitarian aid into the region.
The White House revealed that President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
However, the conversation has not alleviated concerns over Israel’s military actions.
Israel admitted to mistakenly targeting vehicles carrying aid workers, leading to questions about the effectiveness of the mechanisms employed by its military to protect humanitarian workers.
Tragic incidents
In response, Israeli authorities announced changes in coordination with aid groups on the ground to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring.
President Biden condemned the strikes on the Washington-based charity, urging Israel to expedite its investigation.
He has consistently criticized Israel for failing to ensure the safety of civilians, including humanitarian workers, in Gaza. Biden cautioned against any offensive in Rafah without a credible plan to protect civilians, a concern echoed by U.S. officials.
The deadly attack has sparked heightened scrutiny from congressional critics, who are calling for a firmer stance from Biden towards Netanyahu.
Some Democrats are demanding increased protection for civilians and are pushing for more stringent conditions on aid, potentially complicating the passage of a $95 billion aid bill in the House, which includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
It is anticipated that approximately 20 Democrats will oppose the bill due to concerns about the ongoing conflict.
