An Israeli airstrike killed seven food workers on Monday, resulting in international outrage and increased pressure on President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rising tensions in the ongoing war in Gaza will be the focus of this week's Sunday talk shows.
Workers from the non-profit World Central Kitchen (WCK) were driving in a “de-confliction” zone after delivering food to civilians in Gaza when their marked cars were attacked. Israel claimed responsibility for the attack and fired two officials on Friday after finding that the deadly strike should not have happened.
An initial investigation by Israeli Joint Chiefs of Staff found that the military mistakenly thought a convoy of aid workers was fighting Hamas. Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Thursday, where he took a more pointed tone with the Israeli leader, warning that US policy will now be determined by Israel's next steps.
During the call, Biden reportedly pressed Netanyahu for a cease-fire agreement that would allow additional aid to starving civilians in Gaza and the return of remaining hostages taken by Hamas. Several family members of the hostages will join the program this week.
After the call, Israel's wartime cabinet approved the opening of a key border crossing in northern Gaza as pressure mounted to do more for civilians and aid workers. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the steps were generally good, but not enough.
In an interview this week, WCK's founder, celebrity chef Jose Andrés, said he believed Israel had “systematically” targeted his aid workers. He is scheduled to join ABC's “This Week” on Sunday, where he will talk about his seven employees and calls for an independent investigation of WCK.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby will also join ABC's “This Week.” On Thursday, Kirby also said the US would wait to see what Israel does in the days following the strike. He will talk about Biden's recent call with Netanyahu, where he expressed his frustration over the mounting casualties in Gaza and the lack of progress in getting aid.
One of the most outspoken voices this week was Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). Coons, one of Israel's top Democratic supporters and a close ally of Biden, has said he is willing to offer conditions to help Israel as the war continues. He is scheduled to join “Fox News Sunday,” where he will discuss his position.
While Netanyahu claimed responsibility for the deadly strike, he called it an “unfortunate incident” and said it was no accident, adding that such things happen “in war”. Netanyahu's spokesman, Tal Heinrich, will join NewsNation's “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirwald,” where he will discuss Israel's current position as tensions run high throughout the weekend.
Below is the full list of upcoming guests on this week's Sunday Talk Shows:
ABC's “This Week” – Founder of World Central Kitchen Jose Andres; White House National Security John Kirby.
CBS' “Face the Nation” – Kirby; Govt Wes Moore (D-Md.); Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Representative French Hill (R-Ark.); Mother of hostages held by Hamas Rachel Goldberg; Managing Director of Doctors Without Borders Avril Benoit; President and CEO of Save the Children Jaunty Soripto.
CNN's “State of the Union” – representatives. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Ro hon (D-Calif.); Relatives of Hamas prisoners Ronan and Daniel Neutra; Executive Director of the World Food Programme Cindy McCain.
“Fox News Sunday” – Govt Greg Abbott (R-Texas); Sen. Chris Koons (T-Del.).
Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures” – Govt Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.); Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio); Chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Whatley and co-chairman Laura Trump; Former Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).
NewsNation's “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stierwald” – Whatley; Spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Valley Heinrich.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
