Netanyahu Says Israel ‘Deeply Regrets’ Strike That Killed 7 Aid Workers: What We Know About Victims

 

The identities of three victims from the U.K. and a dual U.S.-Canada citizen have yet to be released.

KEY FACTS

Saif Abu Taha, a Palestinian driver and translator for WCK killed in the strike, was originally from Rafah, according to BBC.

The family of Lalzawmi Frankcom, a 43-year-old from Melbourne, Australia, confirmed her death in a statement, according to multiple outlets, reportedly describing her as a “kind, selfless and outstanding human being [who] travelled the world helping others in their time of need.”

Damian Sobol, an aid worker from Przemyśl, Poland was another victim in the strike, as confirmed by Przemyśl’s mayor Wojciech Bakun in a Facebook post that referred to Sobol as a “fantastic boy.”

Three British nationals, whose names have not been released, were also killed—U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron tweeted that officials are “urgently working to verify” the information, later adding that he spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to emphasize the deaths are “completely unacceptable.”

A dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada was also killed, according to WCK, though their identity has not been confirmed.

CRUCIAL QUOTE

“These were people who were working to deliver life-saving aid to those who desperately need it,” Cameron said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It is essential that humanitarian workers are protected and able to carry out their work.”

BIG NUMBER

At least 196. That’s how many aid workers have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war as of March 20, according to a statement from Jamie McGoldrick, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. “This is nearly three times the death toll recorded in any single conflict in a year,” McGoldrick said, referring to the death toll of aid workers.

TANGENT

Following the airstrike, the United Arab Emirates has reportedly paused its own aid operations until Israel can guarantee the safety of its aid workers, according to Axios.

KEY BACKGROUND

World leaders are demanding answers from Israel following Monday’s deadly strike. The WCK convoy was hit by Israeli forces in a “deconflicted zone” while delivering more than 100 tons of food aid in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah, according to the organization, which has since paused operations in the region. Following the strike, celebrity chef José Andrés, WCK’s founder, said in a statement on X that Israel “needs to stop this indiscriminate killing.” The “unintended strike” is under a probe by the IDF, according to spokesperson Daniel Hagari.