The White House national security spokesman said that the US administration is studying the summary of the Israeli investigation into the military raid that took place on Tuesday on aid workers working in Gaza. John Kirby stressed in a press conference that an opinion can only be formed after a comprehensive review, and any previous statement would be hasty. The official stated that there is no US initiative aimed at conducting another investigation.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken clarified his previous call in Brussels for an “independent, comprehensive and fully public” investigation. According to the White House national security spokesman, there is no doubt that another investigation will be conducted, and the Secretary of State was referring to the Israeli report that was later published. Anthony Blinken also said on Friday that it is important for Israel to take full responsibility for what happened and hold those responsible accountable.
Photo: MTI/EPA/Mohamed Zaber
The White House is increasingly frustrated by the large number of civilian casualties
Referring to the phone conversation that took place on Thursday between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kirby told reporters in Washington about the change in the American position that the White House has been feeling increasingly frustrated for weeks and months at the sight of more civilian casualties and damage. On civilian infrastructure by the Israeli army during operations in the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, he added that there is no intention for the United States to send an expert to Israel to supervise decision-making regarding Israeli army operations, as it is an independent state that decides its military actions on its own. However, how these operations are carried out is the subject of US-Israeli negotiations, as John Kirby noted, according to the MTI summary.
The head of communications at the National Security Council said in his press conference on Thursday that if they do not see a change in Israel’s actions, the Americans must change their actions. At the same press conference, he also insisted that American support for Israeli self-defense is unwavering and will not waver.
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, spoke in New York on Friday about what happened and called for independent investigations and tangible changes.
The Israeli army admitted that the World Aid Central Kitchen convoy was identified as Hamas fighters, which is why the military raid took place, killing seven people.
