The White House on Tuesday condemned as “outrageous” a deadly Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed seven aid workers, including an American.
But in a sign of how Washington has portrayed itself as Israel’s most loyal defender, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said U.S. officials would wait for the results of an investigation before drawing broader conclusions.
And he insisted there was no question of halting arms sales to Israel.
“We were outraged to hear of an attack (by the Israeli army) that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen, which has been relentless and working to get food to those starving in Gaza, and honestly, all over the world,” he said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.”
“We were outraged to hear from the World Central Kitchen yesterday of an IDF attack that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers,” White House spokesman John Kirby said.
Other world leaders immediately condemned the strike. London called in the Israeli ambassador for explanations after three Britons were identified among the dead.
In contrast, after expressing his outrage, Kirby had to be asked whether or not the US would condemn the attack on vehicles with clear aid logos.
‘I think we are outraged by our statement. “I think you can fairly characterize that as a condemnation of the strike itself,” he said.
The intentional killing of aid workers is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Opponents of President Joe Biden’s close support for Israel said this was more evidence supporting their demand that he immediately halt more military aid to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
But Kirby said the US had no intention of imposing conditions on military aid.
“I know you want us to hang some kind of condition around their necks. And what I’m telling you is that we will continue to work with the Israelis to ensure that they are as accurate as possible.
‘And that more help is coming in and we will continue to follow that approach.’
The IDF said it has launched an investigation into the incident at the “highest level” and reiterated that it has “worked closely” with the charity, as well as “extensive efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.”
