Israel’s top military commander formally acknowledged on Wednesday that its military had made a “grave mistake” and apologised for the attack on an aid convoy that killed seven workers from the charity group World Central Kitchen, a rare admission of fault by Israel in the six-month-old war in the Gaza Strip.

“It was a mistake that followed a misidentification, at night, during the war, in a very complex condition,” the Israeli military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said in a video. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

General Halevi’s mea culpa marked a change in tone from Israel’s military, which throughout the war has largely rejected criticism of its actions by arguing that it was doing what was necessary to defeat Hamas. It came as many of Israel’s closest allies voiced indignation and demanded explanations for the attack.

President Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the deaths of the humanitarian workers.

“Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen,” he said in a statement.

British foreign secretary David Cameron called the workers’ deaths “completely unacceptable”, saying in a statement that “Israel must urgently explain how this happened and make major changes to ensure the safety of aid workers”.

The World Central Kitchen workers — a Palestinian, an Australian, a Pole, three Britons and a dual US-Canadian citizen — were travelling in clearly marked cars after leaving a warehouse in Deir al Balah, in central Gaza, when their convoy came under fire late Monday, the organisation said in a statement. The Israeli military had been informed of the workers’ movements, the charity said.

The killings drew condemnation from countries around the world, including those of the people killed, and prompted aid agencies to reassess their operations in Gaza. World Central Kitchen, founded by the renowned chef José Andrés, said on Tuesday that it was suspending its operations in Gaza.

Throughout the war, Palestinians and relief organisations have accused Israel of bombing indiscriminately, heedless of civilian casualties — claims Israel has consistently denied. The killing of aid workers from countries that have backed Israel could add fuel to rising international anger over the way it has conducted the war.

General Halevi said that an independent body would investigate the killings and that the military would learn from the conclusions and share the findings with World Central Kitchen.

New York Times News Service