What does an ‘investigation’ into World Central Kitchen workers’ deaths really mean?

On Wednesday morning, celebrity chef José Andrés shared a heartwrenching message mourning the aid workers from his organization killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

“I wish I never founded [World Central Kitchen],” Andrés wrote of his non-profit humanitarian aid group. His post features a video ofZomi Frankcom, one of seven World Central Kitchen workers killed in a series of three missile strikes by the IDF. The airstrikes came even after the organisation coordinated their movements with the IDF and marked their cars with logos.

Among those killed by the IDF included American-Canadian Jacob Flickinger, a husband and father to a one-year-old boy. President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the deaths.

“Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers,” Biden said. He called on Israel to conduct a “thorough” and “swift” investigation. Representatives for the White House and National Security Council also both told reporters on Wednesday the administration is waiting on the results of “an investigation” to respond further.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat, similarly called for the strikes to be “thoroughly investigated.” Other leading Democrats have remained largely silent.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, has said nothing about the deaths on Twitter/X or on his official press page. Instead, the Democratic leader simply reposted a poll demonstrating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unpopularity among Israelis. Senate Foreign Affairs Chairman Ben Cardin has also been silent on the deaths on both Twitter/<a rel=«nofollow» target="_blank" href=«https://twitter.com/SenatorCardin?ref_src=» https:>X

and on his official website.

Jacob Flickinger, pictured, was killed