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Israel to revise Gaza tactics after aid worker deaths

Apr 05, 2024

Jerusalem [Israel], April 5: Israel said on Thursday it would adjust tactics in the Gaza war tactics after killing seven aid workers in air strikes its military has acknowledged were a major mistake, and that inquiry findings would be made public soon.
Monday's incident has stoked Western anger at the mounting civilian toll in the Palestinian enclave, especially as the slain World Central Kitchen staff included Australian, British and Polish citizens along with a U.S.-Canadian dual national.
At least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since October, according to the United Nations.
Israel's leaders have voiced sorrow over what the military called a "grave mistake" after the misidentification of a WCK convoy at night in a complex combat zone.
Charity founder, chef Jose Andres, said the convoy was "systematically" targeted even though Israel's military was aware of his staff's movements.
Asked to respond, Israeli government spokesperson Raquela Karamson said during a media briefing: "This was unintended."
She said publication of the investigation's findings could take weeks. But the chief Israeli military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, appeared to give a much shorter timeline.
An investigators' report was given to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday, Hagari said in a televised statement.
Israel Ziv, a retired army general who formerly commanded the Gaza division, said the incident may have resulted from the military enabling more junior officers to authorise air strikes.
Whereas during quieter periods such an operation would require a green light from a division commander or a general in charge of regional forces, he said, "in wartime the situation is utterly transformed, because the number of threats is never-ending".
Ziv noted that Israel, which went to war after Hamas gunmen rampaged in its southern towns and army bases on Oct 7, has been fighting both to destroy the Palestinian Islamists' military capacity and deny them access to humanitarian aid sent to Gaza.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation