Netanyahu faces global outcry over killing ofaid workers

Israel is facing mounting international pressure to justify its conduct in Gaza as the bodies of six foreign aid workers killed in a drone attack were repatriated to their families.

- Bethan McKernan 

Seven members of World Central Kitchen (WCK) were killed when their convoy of three cars, clearly identified as belonging to the charity, were repeatedly hit by a drone after leaving an aid warehouse in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Monday night.

WCK's founder, José Andrés, said that the Israel Defense Forces had targeted the convoy "systematically, car by car", even though they were in touch with WCK and were aware of the aid workers' movements.

"This was not a 'bad luck' situation where 'oops, we dropped the bombin the wrong place,"" Andrés said. "Even if we were not in coordination with the IDF, no democratic country and no military can be targeting civilians and humanitarians."

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the IDF have apologised for the killings and said that an investigation into the strikes is under way. Israel's defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said on Tuesday Israel would open a "joint situation room" with international groups to enable better coordination of aid distribution.

The circumstances surrounding the killings, however, have renewed scrutiny of Israel's targeting methods and decision-making process in ordering air and drone strikes. According to a report in the Israeli daily Haaretz, the convoy did not contain any suspected militants, and had been travelling along a route preapproved and coordinated with the Israeli military.

More than 200 aid workers have been killed in the nearly six-monthold conflict, along with scores of medical staff, journalists and civil response workers.