Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged unintentional civilian casualties resulting from recent airstrikes in Gaza, including the death of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen.

The U.S.-based charity, led by chef José Andrés, halted its operations in the region following the incident, prompting Cyprus to halt aid shipments.

Netanyahu expressed regret over the casualties and pledged a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents. His remarks came amidst international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Previously, the Israel Defense Forces refrained from confirming responsibility for the casualties and announced the initiation of an investigation into the incident, NBC News reported.

IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized that the probe aimed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Later, as he left the hospital following a hernia operation, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed regret over the recent unintentional civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

Written by B.C. Begley