(NewsNation) — President Joe Biden condemned the Israeli attack that killed seven aid workers in his strongest criticism of Israel yet, saying it hasn’t done enough to protect people providing aid in Gaza.
“Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians,” Biden said, adding he was “outraged and heartbroken” by their killings.
Despite this, White House officials say Biden is staying on course with supporting Israel but that they are waiting for the investigation into Tuesday’s airstrikes on the World Central Kitchen workers.
World Central Kitchen’s famed chef and founder, Jose Andres, said the aid workers were the “best of humanity.” He called the strike a “direct attack” on a clearly marked vehicle whose movements were known by the Israeli Defense Forces.
The IDF says the strikes are being investigated, calling them a “grave mistake.” In the meantime, the World Central Kitchen has paused all operations in Gaza.
One of the victims was a dual U.S.-Canadian national. Sources tell NewsNation that President Biden has not been in contact with the family of the deceased yet but that he called Andres to offer his condolences.
It is unclear whether these seven deaths will change the Biden administration’s support of Israel, but the White House says taking away military support is not on the table. The administration says Biden is also doing everything in his power to bring the hostages home and call for an immediate cease-fire.
The dead from Monday night’s strikes included three British citizens, Polish and Australian nationals, the Canadian-American dual national and a Palestinian. Several of those countries have been key backers of Israel’s offensive in Gaza but denounced the killings.
Israel already faces growing isolation as international criticism of the Gaza assault has mounted. On the same day as the deadly airstrikes, Israel stirred more fears by apparently attacking Iran’s consulate in Damascus and killing two Iranian generals, and the government also moved to shut down foreign outlet Al Jazeera’s operations in the country.
