Austin urged Gallant, in a phone call, to conduct a “swift and transparent” investigation, make the findings available to the public, and hold those responsible accountable, the Pentagon announced.

Austin told Gallant that he expected Israel to take concrete steps to protect humanitarian workers and Palestinian civilians in Gaza “after repeated coordination failures with foreign aid groups,” the Pentagon stated.

The Defense Department also highlighted that Secretary Austin had conveyed his admiration for World Central Kitchen and its committed personnel.

The organization has provided millions of meals in the region and has been instrumental in delivering food to Gaza through various means, including land, air, and sea.

To date, World Central Kitchen has distributed over 40 million meals to needy Gazans. Secretary Austin emphasized to Minister Gallant that this tragic event complicates efforts to provide extensive humanitarian aid.

He also pointed to the urgent necessity of increasing aid flow through all entry points in the coming days, especially to communities in northern Gaza facing the threat of famine.