Israel concludes no criminal offense in WCK attack that killed 7 aid workers

An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the April 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of seven humanitarian workers, did not amount to a criminal offense. The Military Prosecutor's Office decided against opening a criminal investigation, stating that the commanders' decisions regarding the convoy did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct. The Israeli military asserted that troops mistakenly attacked the convoy, believing it carried Hamas operatives, confusing unarmed individuals with militants. According to the military, attempts were made for half an hour to contact WCK representatives to verify their suspicions, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Following the incident, a military inquiry led to the dismissal of two officers and the reprimand of three others. The military's report acknowledged "serious deficiencies" in the process that led to the erroneous assessment of Hamas operatives being present in the vehicles. Despite these shortcomings, the prosecutor's office determined that no further action was warranted beyond the disciplinary measures already taken. The attack claimed the lives of workers from various nationalities, including Palestinian, Australian, Polish, Canadian-American, and British citizens. The WCK, founded by Spanish chef José Andrés, has continued its operations in Gaza, providing hundreds of thousands of meals daily.