I’m outraged and heartbroken by the deaths of seven humanitarian staff from World Central Kitchen, together with one American, in Gaza yesterday. They have been offering meals to hungry civilians in the course of a conflict. They have been courageous and selfless. Their deaths are a tragedy.

Israel has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into why the help staff’ autos have been hit by airstrikes. That investigation have to be swift, it should convey accountability, and its findings have to be made public. 

Much more tragically, this isn’t a stand-alone incident. This battle has been one of many worst in current reminiscence when it comes to what number of support staff have been killed. It is a main purpose why distributing humanitarian support in Gaza has been so tough – as a result of Israel has not carried out sufficient to guard support staff making an attempt to ship desperately wanted assist to civilians. Incidents like yesterday’s merely mustn’t occur. Israel has additionally not carried out sufficient to guard civilians. The USA has repeatedly urged Israel to deconflict their navy operations towards Hamas with humanitarian operations, with the intention to keep away from civilian casualties. 

The USA will proceed to do all we are able to to ship humanitarian help to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, via all out there means. I’ll proceed to press Israel to do extra to facilitate that support. And we’re pushing arduous for a direct ceasefire as a part of a hostage deal. I’ve a group in Cairo engaged on this proper now.

Earlier immediately, I spoke with my buddy Chef José Andrés, the founding father of World Central Kitchen, to convey my deepest condolences for the deaths of these brave support staff and to precise my continued assist for his and his group’s relentless and heroic efforts to get meals to hungry individuals across the globe. 

Could God bless the humanitarian staff killed yesterday and luxury their households and family members of their grief.

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