The military asserted that the officers had mishandled critical information and violated Armyโs rules of engagement.
The Israeli military on Friday said it has dismissed two officers and reprimanded a third for their roles in drone strikes in Gaza that killed seven aid workers on a food-delivery mission.
The military asserted that the officers had mishandled critical information and violated the armyโs rules of engagement.
The workers from the charity, which provides food relief in crisis and conflict zones, were killed when their convoy was hit on Monday night.
Their convoy was struck repeatedly by IDF missiles shortly after they oversaw the unloading of 100 tons of food brought to the Palestinian territory by sea.
The findings of a retired generalโs investigation into the Monday killings marked an embarrassing admission by Israel, which faces growing accusations from key allies, including the U.S., of not doing enough to protect Gazaโs civilians from its war with Hamas, according to DailyMail.
The findings are likely to renew skepticism over Israeli militaryโs decision-making.
Palestinians, aid groups and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of firing recklessly at civilians throughout the conflict โ a charge Israel denied.
โItโs a tragedy,โ the militaryโs spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, told reporters, adding โItโs a serious event that we are responsible for and it shouldnโt have happened and we will make sure that it wonโt happen again.โ
With pressure mounting on Israel to hold itself accountable, Hagari and other officials late Thursday shared with reporters the results of the militaryโs uncommonly speedy and detailed investigation.
It was unclear whether the punishments and the apology would calm an international outcry over the deaths of the World Central Kitchen workers or reassure international aid groups that it was safe to resume operations in Gaza, where nearly a third of the population is on the brink of starvation.
According to what spokespeople said were the Israeli armyโs rules, targets must be visually identified as threats for multiple reasons before they can be hit.
But the investigation determined that a colonel had authorized the series of deadly drone strikes on the convoy based on one majorโs observation โ from grainy drone camera footage โ that someone in the convoy was armed. That observation turned out to be untrue, military officials said.
The army said the colonel and the major were dismissed, while three other officers were reprimanded.
It said the results of its investigation were turned over to the militaryโs advocate general, who will decide whether the officers or anyone else involved in the killings should receive further punishment or be prosecuted.
The killings were condemned by Israelโs closest allies and renewed criticism of Israelโs conduct in the nearly 6-month-old war with Hamas.
The aid workers were three British citizens, a Polish citizen, an Australian and a Canadian American dual citizen, all of whom worked for World Central Kitchen, the international charity founded by celebrity chef Josรฉ Andrรฉs. Their Palestinian driver also was killed.