Drone Strike Kills 2 Hostages

The White House issued a formal apology April 23, after it was revealed that two hostages – American Dr. Warren Weinstein and Italian Giovanni Lo Porto – were killed in an air strike conducted by a U.S. drone aircraft. “The operation targeted an al Qaida-associated compound, where we had no reason to believe either hostage was present, located in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the White House statement said. “No words can fully express our regret over this terrible tragedy.” The statement also noted that two other Americans were killed in drone attacks. The two were believed to be collaborating with al Qaida, according to the White House. News of Weinstein’s and Lo Porto’s deaths has renewed an ongoing national debate over the use of unmanned aircraft in combat operations.