Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged responsibility Tuesday for what he called an unintentional airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza, including an American citizen.
But Netanyahu stopped short of apologizing for the deadly attack, saying, "This happens in war."
"Unfortunately, in the past day there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip," he said in a message posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Netanyahu added: "We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence."
The World Central Kitchen, a food charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, suspended operations in Gaza following the strike in Deir al-Balah.
The aid workers killed in the strike comprised three British nationals, an American-Canadian dual citizen, an Australian, a Polish national and a Palestinian, according the Associated Press reported, citing hospital records.
Some victims were wearing protective gear with the charity''s logo, according to video of their bodies recorded at a local hospital.
Other footage showed a vehicle with the logo on its roof, which had a large hole punched through it, according to AP.
The aid workers were traveling in a convoy of three vehicles, including two that were armored, and their trip had been coordinated with the Israeli army, according to the World Central Kitchen.
The charity, which helped provide about 150,000 meals daily to desperate Gaza residents, said it had "no choice" but to halt operations "until our staff regain confidence that they can do their work without undue risk."
