An Israeli strike in Gaza resulted in the tragic deaths of seven aid workers from the non-profit World Central Kitchen. This incident has sparked anger and upset within the White House, leading President Joe Biden to publicly express his strong emotions on Tuesday by using the word "Outraged," which he rarely uses during the ongoing conflict filled with immense sorrow.
The aid workers, who were on a mission to deliver food to starving civilians in the besieged enclave, included one individual who was a dual US-Canadian citizen. This heartbreaking event has intensified the frustration felt by Biden and his top officials, as shared by a senior administration official with CNN.
Biden recently expressed strong emotions regarding the deaths of seven workers, using some of his most direct language since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. He openly criticized Israel for not safeguarding aid workers and civilians, stating that such incidents should not occur.
The attack on the World Central Kitchen workers stood out to the Biden administration, causing significant worry and distress during an already tense period between the US and Israel.
The president met with a small group of Muslim community leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the deaths of the workers. According to one attendee, some of the participants were doctors who have firsthand experience of the situation in Gaza and the challenges faced by Palestinian civilians. CNN reported that one of the doctors walked out of the meeting early as a form of protest.
Salima Suswell, founder of the Black Muslim Leadership Council, shared that the president acknowledged the complexity of the situation and expressed his desire for an end to the war. She mentioned that the conversation was tough at times.
Israel has stated that it will look into why the aid workers' vehicles were struck by Israeli airstrikes. In response to Biden's statement about Israel being responsible for not safeguarding civilians and aid workers, a senior adviser to the president informed CNN that this was what Biden intended to convey. Biden has urged for a prompt and thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
Editor's P/S:
The tragic loss of seven aid workers in an Israeli strike on Gaza has ignited a firestorm of outrage and sorrow. President Biden's rare use of the word "outraged" reflects the deep frustration and anger felt by the White House. The attack on the World Central Kitchen workers, who were providing humanitarian aid to besieged civilians, has intensified the tension between the US and Israel. Biden's criticism of Israel's failure to protect aid workers and civilians underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The meeting between Biden and Muslim community leaders highlighted the human toll of the violence in Gaza. The president acknowledged the complexity of the situation and expressed his desire for an end to the war. However, the protest by one of the attendees underscores the deep divisions and frustrations that persist. Israel's investigation into the airstrike that killed the aid workers is crucial for accountability and preventing future tragedies. The US must continue to press for a swift and thorough inquiry to ensure that justice is served and the lives lost are not in vain.