Seven individuals, including citizens from Australia, Britain, and Poland, working for chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen (WCK), lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza, as confirmed by the NGO.
Details of the Incident
The workers, traveling in vehicles marked with the WCK logo, were struck while leaving their Deir al-Balah warehouse, after unloading humanitarian food aid brought by sea, despite coordination with the Israeli Defence Force, WCK stated.
Condemnation and Response
Erin Gore, CEO of WCK, condemned the attack, calling it an assault on humanitarian efforts. The Israeli military expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing its commitment to facilitating aid delivery.
Call for Accountability
Jose Andres demanded accountability from the Israeli government, urging an end to civilian casualties and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
International Response
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom and called for accountability. The U.S. National Security Council urged Israel to investigate the incident swiftly.
Halting Operations and Future Plans
WCK announced a pause in operations in Gaza and pledged to decide on future actions soon.
WCK’s Humanitarian Efforts
WCK, known for delivering food relief worldwide, had served over 42 million meals in Gaza and recently facilitated maritime aid shipments to the region.
Continued Commitment to Aid
Despite the tragedy, WCK remains committed to providing aid to communities affected by conflicts and disasters globally.
