US fumes over killing of aid workers, says Israel needs to work harder to protect NGOs; Biden calls WCK founder

At a White House press briefing, National Security Council Communications Adviser John Kirby says the US is “outraged” by a deadly IDF strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy overnight. “We were outraged to learn of an IDF strike that killed a number of civilian humanitarian workers yesterday from the World Central Kitchen, which has been relentlessly working to get food to those who are hungry in Gaza,” says Kirby. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says US President Joe Biden called WCK founder José Andrés to express his condolences. Kirby says that the US “will continue to press Israel to do more” to ensure the safety of aid workers. The spokesman says that force protection will be “first and foremost” in the minds of America’s military and political leaders when US forces start setting up the dock of the Gaza shore. “We’re under no illusion that Gaza isn’t a war zone,” he says. Kirby adds that there will likely be an in-person meeting next week with senior Israeli officials to follow-up on yesterday’s virtual meeting regarding a potential Israeli operation in Rafah.