IDF Disciplines Officers for April 1 Airstrike Killing 7 World Central Kitchen Workers

On April 1, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the accidental deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including individuals from the U.S., Britain, Poland, and Australia, with two of the SUVs bearing WCK’s logo. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi decided to reprimand Commander Yaron Finkelman and three senior commanders for serious errors and breaches of procedure. Additionally, two officers were dismissed due to grave errors and serious operational failures, as acknowledged by the IDF, which described the incident as a tragedy and a terrible chain of errors. The attack, termed a grave mistake and a result of misidentification by military personnel, has led to international outcry, including from World Central Kitchen's celebrity chef founder, who found the IDF's apology as cold comfort. The incident has spurred calls from U.S. lawmakers, including those advocating for an American citizen among the deceased, for a halt in offensive arms transfers to Israel and a push for an independent investigation. World Central Kitchen, known for providing at least 43 million meals to Palestinians, has seen its operations severely impacted.