Sunday shows preview: Pressure increases on Biden, Israel after WCK airstrike

Seven food aid workers were killed by an Israel airstrike Monday, resulting in international outrage and increased pressure on President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The heightened tensions in the ongoing war in Gaza will likely be the focus of this week’s Sunday talk shows.

The workers from the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) were driving in a “deconflicted” area after delivering food to civilians in Gaza when their marked cars were struck. Israel has claimed responsibility for the attack and dismissed two officers Friday after finding that the fatal strike should not have happened.

A preliminary investigation carried out by the Israeli Joint Chiefs of Staff found that the military mistakenly thought the convoy of aid workers was Hamas fighters. Biden spoke with Netanyahu Thursday, where he took his sharpest tone with the Israeli leader yet, warning that U.S. policy would now be determined by Israel’s next steps.

During the call, Biden reportedly pressed Netanyahu for a cease-fire deal, which would allow more aid to be delivered to starving civilians in Gaza and the remaining hostages taken by Hamas to be returned. Several family members of hostages will join this week’s shows.

Just after the call, Israel’s wartime Cabinet approved the opening of a key border crossing in northern Gaza, as the pressure for the country to do more for civilians and aid workers increased. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the steps are generally good, but it may not be enough.

In an interview this week, WCK’s founder, celebrity chef José Andrés, said he believes Israel “systematically” targeted his aid workers. He is set to join ABC’s “This Week” Sunday, where he will likely talk about his seven employees and WCK’s calls for an independent investigation.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby will also join ABC’s “This Week.” On Thursday, Kirby said the U.S. will be waiting and watching to see what Israel does in the days following the strike. He will likely speak about Biden’s recent call with Netanyahu, where he expressed his frustration over the growing number of casualties in Gaza and the lack of progress getting aid in.

One of the most outspoken voices this week was Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). Coons, one of the top Democratic backers of Israel and a close ally of Biden, said he is open to putting conditions on aid to Israel as the war continues. He is set to join “Fox News Sunday,” where he will likely discuss his stance.

Although Netanyahu took responsibility for the deadly strike, calling it a “tragic event” that was unintentional, he said things like that happen “in war.” Netanyahu’s spokesperson, Tal Heinrich, will join NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt” where she will likely discuss Israel’s current position as tensions remain high throughout the weekend.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

ABC’s “This Week” – World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés; White House national security adviser John Kirby.

CBS’s “Face the Nation” – Kirby; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D); Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.); mother of hostage taken by Hamas Rachel Goldberg; Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders Avril Benoit; President and CEO of Save the Children Janti Soeripto.

CNN’s “State of the Union” – Reps. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.); relatives of hostage taken by Hamas Ronan and Daniel Neutra; Executive Director of World Food Programme Cindy McCain.

“Fox News Sunday” – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R); Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).

Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R); Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio); Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and co-Chair Lara Trump; former Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).

NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt” – Whatley; Spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tal Heinrich.