WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden called world-renowned chef Jose Andrés “to express his heartbreak.” As a result of the Israeli air attack, 7 aid workers were killed in the Gaza Strip from the chef’s World Central Kitchen organization.
“The president expressed his grief with the entire World Center Kitchen family,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the daily press briefing.
He continued: “The President felt it was important to recognize the great contribution that the World Center Kitchen has made to the people of Gaza and to people around the world. The President has indicated that he will make it clear to Israel that humanitarian aid workers must be protected.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who attended the press briefing, said the Biden administration was “outraged” by Israel’s strike on Monday, which it said deliberately killed aid workers. The Israel Defense Forces said it would conduct a preliminary investigation into the incident, and Kirby said he expected a more extensive investigation from Israel.
“We hope that these findings will be made public and there will be appropriate accountability,” he said.
More than 200 aid workers have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Kirby said, adding that the incident is “symbolic of a larger problem and proof of why it is so difficult to distribute aid in Gaza.”
“The US will continue to put more pressure on Israel to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, and we will continue to do everything we can to deliver that aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” he said.
Andres X wrote on his page said he was “heartbroken and saddened” for his slain colleagues.
“The Israeli government must stop this indiscriminate killing,” he said. “It must stop restricting humanitarian aid, stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon.”
A nonprofit group that is one of the few to provide food directly to Palestinians amid broader fears of famine, suspends operations in the region immediately.
Yuliya Talmazan, Kelly O’Donnell and Gael Fobes contributed.