‘Turning Point’: Gaza Airstrike Deaths Prompt Urgent Reevaluation of Israel’s War Tactics

Israel's airstrike in Gaza killed 7 aid workers, including an American, sparking global outrage and straining Israel's image. Demands for humanitarian protection increase amid a war that has already seen thousands killed

The killing of seven aid workers by the Israeli military earlier this week has further complicated an already prickly situation for Israel as it conducts its war against Hamas in Gaza amidst rapidly declining international support.

While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied targeting the World Central Kitchen (WCK) staffers on Monday night, its explanations and apologies by senior Israeli officials had many in the international community unconvinced. Early Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met in Washington. After the meeting, Austin posted on his X account that he was “outraged” by the airstrike, which killed “seven brave aid workers, including an American citizen,” urging “Israel immediately provide new protections and security guarantees to humanitarian workers to help dramatically increase the flow of aid into Gaza.”

“This is a very difficult incident that involves an excellent organization that provides aid all over the world,” said Lianne Pollak-David, a strategic advisor and member of the Dvora Forum who has worked previously in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the National Security Council. “These things happen during wartime, but it is very harmful to Israel’s image. The incident comes at a very problematic time for Israel, as it grapples with a very complex environment. The humanitarian issue is Israel’s Achilles heel.”

Israel has been under increased pressure in recent weeks to change its conduct of the war, which began after Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel six months ago. As a result of the attack, approximately 1200 Israelis were killed, and thousands of others were injured. Two hundred fifty people were taken into captivity by Hamas, and half of them still remain in Gaza, with their fate largely unknown. In response, Israel vowed to topple Hamas and release all the hostages. It launched a massive air, ground, and naval operation. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, since then, over 32,600 Palestinians have been killed by Israel and over 75,000 injured. Israel claims at least half of the dead are terrorists. Hamas has not provided any details about the identity of the dead.

Israel has yet to operate in Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza, which is believed to be the stronghold of Hamas’ leadership. The city borders Egypt and is believed to be above an extensive network of cross-border tunnels that have served and may still serve Hamas. Israel claims the tunnel infrastructure has been used by Hamas to smuggle weapons into Gaza and is now being used as a hiding place for Hamas leaders who are using Israeli hostages as human shields. Israel has, therefore, singled out Rafah as critical to the goals it set out for itself at the beginning of the war. 

“Rafah is a threat to Israel, and if it is not dealt with, Israel will not reach any strategic achievements, and any achievements that have been achieved will be wasted,” Pollak-David told The Media Line.

The delay in the operation is largely due to American pressure. US President Joe Biden and other senior officials have expressed their concerns that an operation in Rafah would further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. As a result of the Israeli offensive, the United Nations (UN) says that 1.7 million Gazans have been displaced, many of them pushed to Rafah, which has not yet been touched by the Israeli military. The White House has demanded Israel find a solution for them, posing a major challenge to the IDF. 

“For Israel, what is important is that so long as the hostages aren’t free, there will be no cease-fire,” said Professor Jonathan Rynhold, chair of the Department of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University. 

Other countries have joined the warnings, which only grew as alarm about the WCK incident grew.

According to the Aid Worker Security Database, a research group funded by USAID, over 200 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war. 

The incident put more spotlight on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. While several international organizations claim Gaza is on the brink of famine, Israel claims there is no threat to food security in Gaza, saying it allows for constant flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Regardless of Israel’s claims, however, the tragic event could be a turning point in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza. The global denunciation, coupled with Israel’s already precarious standing in the international arena, could put a dent in its plans to continue fighting Hamas.

According to Rynhold, the incident will force Israel to make changes in its humanitarian policy but not stop the war effort.

“Israel will have to invest more resources to avoid civilian casualties,” Rynhold told The Media Line. “While I do not believe Israel purposely targeted the workers, it doesn’t look like it was a casual mistake that happened out of haste. It throws question marks about the procedures and is enough energy and time being invested to make sure these humanitarian workers and civilians are taken care of and being more precise in its actions.”

“This will affect how Israel will engage in Gaza for a while but will not in itself be enough for the Americans to put sanctions on Israel through the UN or stop supplying what Israel needs to operate in Gaza,” he added. 

“It was a mistake that followed a misidentification—at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened,” said IDF Chief of General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi. WCK founder Jose Andres accused Israel of deliberately targeting his workers’ cars. 

Leaders who previously supported Israel with outpouring of sympathy in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ attack are now facing increasing domestic pressure to renounce that support. Several countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan, have announced they will stop selling arms to Israel. This pressure is intended to strongarm Israel.

Firstly, Israel is under massive pressure to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since the beginning of the war, it has ruled out UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) as playing a part in that effort, accusing some of its members of being Hamas terrorists. The WCK was seen, even by Israeli officials, as playing a critical role in facilitating the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. It has now suspended its operations in Gaza in the aftermath of the death of its staffers. Other countries have also halted their humanitarian efforts, pending assurances from the IDF that their workers would be protected. Just recently, Israel allowed for the opening of sea routes for food aid to enter Gaza. 

Israeli media reported Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Galant were to be authorized by the security cabinet to allow for an increase in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza in the coming days.

“Israel will need to institutionalize mechanisms that deal with the humanitarian issue on an ongoing basis,” Rynhold said, adding the US may increase its demands for continuous reporting on the matter.

Pollak-David suggests Israel takes a pause in the fighting in order to placate the international community and deflect claims that it is deliberately starving the residents of Gaza.

“Israel needs to recognize that the people of Gaza are suffering and that their suffering is not only harming its efforts but also strengthens Hamas,” she said. “Israel should stop the fighting for two weeks in order to allow the proper distribution of food. During this period, there could also be an opening for a hostage release deal.”

Negotiations on such a deal appear to be stalled for several weeks. As the war drags on, international focus has shifted from the plight of the hostages to the suffering in Gaza. As it continues to lose international legitimacy, such incidents as the one that resulted in the death of seven foreign aid workers will continue to complicate Israel, distancing it further from its goals.