World powers condemn deadly Gaza air strike on aid workers

World powers widely condemned an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip that killed seven charity staff delivering desperately needed aid to the war-torn territory.

World Central Kitchen — one of two NGOs spearheading efforts to distribute aid brought by boat — said a "targeted Israeli strike" on Monday killed Australian, British, Palestinian, Polish and U.S.-Canadian staff.

Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye's Communications Director, condemned Israel's killing of aid workers on Tuesday and demanded accountability.

"Israel shamelessly continues its genocidal acts and violates international humanitarian law as the world fails to protect innocent Palestinians," Altun said on X.

The communication director stated that "grave" human rights violations "that have left a deep imprint in our collective memory must stop."

"Israel should be held accountable for its war crimes," he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "outraged and heartbroken".

In a strongly worded statement, he said Israel's investigation of the strike "must be swift, it must bring accountability, and its findings must be made public."

Biden added that the provision of humanitarian relief in the Palestinian territory has been difficult "because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians."

The United Nations says the war has left almost 200 aid workers dead, including more than 175 members of the U.N.'s staff.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strike "unconscionable" but added that it was "an inevitable result of the way the war is being conducted".

"It demonstrates yet again the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all...