CORRECTION - Israeli attacks make 2023 bloodiest in last 26 years for aid workers: Report

CORRECTS HEADLINE, LEDE, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israeli attacks in Gaza and the West Bank made 2023 the bloodiest year in the last 26 years for aid workers, according to a report by the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD).

Since Oct. 7 last year, at least 203 aid workers have been killed in Israeli attacks, 161 of them in the last four months of 2023, while 53 others were wounded, the report said.

The report also shows that since January of this year, 42 aid workers have been killed and 24 others have been wounded in the occupied Palestinian territories.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the situation is "unconscionable."

Last week, Guterres expressed concerns about UN aid workers being continually prevented from carrying out their duties in the besieged Gaza Strip, particularly in the northern part of the enclave.

On Tuesday, the US-based food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) confirmed that seven of its humanitarian aid workers were killed in an Israeli strike Monday in the Gaza Strip.

The workers were nationals of Australia, Poland, the UK and Palestine as well as a US-Canadian dual citizen.

The UN said it is suspending nighttime movements for its personnel for at least 48 hours following the attack.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said Berlin "expects the Israeli government to adapt its operations so that civilians are better protected, and this of course applies in particular to female and male humanitarian aid workers."

“The Israeli government must investigate this terrible incident quickly and thoroughly,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also wrote on X.

Canada condemned the attack on the WCK aid workers and demanded a full investigation.

"I am horrified to hear reports of the IDF strike taking the lives of 7 World Central Kitchen employees in Gaza yesterday, including a Canadian citizen," Foreign Minister Melanie Joly wrote on X.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demanded accountability from Israel over the incident.

"Australia expects full accountability for the deaths of aid workers, which is completely unacceptable," he said.

The US expressed sorrow and urged Israel to swiftly investigate the matter.

"Humanitarian aid workers must be protected as they deliver aid that is desperately needed," said White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.

Poland demanded an explanation from Israel over the deadly attack on the aid workers, including a Polish citizen.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski “immediately contacted the Israeli ambassador and demanded explanations,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna.

He recalled a UN Security Council resolution adopted last month demanding an immediate cease-fire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Israel has both the "intention and the ability" to comply with international humanitarian law and stressed that he has made it clear to his Israeli counterpart Prime Benjamin Netanyahu that "there have been too many civilian deaths in Gaza."

"We're asking Israel to investigate what happened urgently, because clearly there are questions that need to be answered," said Sunak.