Israeli airstrikes in Gaza result in the deaths of seven individuals employed by a food aid NGO

According to the NGO, citizens from Australia, Britain, and Poland were among the seven individuals employed by celebrity chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen who lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza on Monday. The group of workers, which included Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, were traveling in two armored vehicles adorned with the WCK logo, along with another vehicle, as stated by WCK in a released statement.

Despite coordinating movements with the Israeli Defence Force, the convoy was struck as it departed from its Deir al-Balah warehouse, having already unloaded over 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea, as reported by WCK.

“This is not just an assault on WCK, but an attack on humanitarian organizations stepping in during the most dire circumstances, where food is being wielded as a weapon of war,” stated Erin Gore, Chief Executive of World Central Kitchen. “This is utterly unforgivable.”

The Israeli military expressed its commitment to conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to comprehend the circumstances of what it termed a tragic incident, promising an investigation by “an independent, professional, and expert body.”

“The IDF is making extensive efforts to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and has been closely collaborating with WCK in their crucial efforts to supply food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” stated the military.

Israel has faced mounting international pressure to address the severe hunger crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by months of conflict that has devastated much of the area and displaced most of the population.

The United Nations and other international bodies have accused Israel of impeding aid distribution with bureaucratic hurdles and failing to ensure the security of food convoys, highlighted by a tragedy on February 29th, in which approximately 100 individuals were killed as they awaited an aid delivery.

Hamas, the Islamist group governing Gaza, has attributed the main challenge in aid distribution to Israeli targeting of aid workers. In response to the recent incident, it issued a statement asserting that the attack was aimed at intimidating workers of international humanitarian agencies, dissuading them from their missions.

Last week, the World Court mandated Israel to take all necessary and effective actions to ensure basic food supplies to the Palestinian population in the enclave and to halt the spread of famine.

In retaliation, Israeli officials accused the United Nations and other international bodies of “failure” in addressing the challenges of providing aid to hungry people in Gaza, asserting that they lack the logistical capacity to fulfill their duties.

Andres, who established WCK in 2010 by dispatching cooks and food to Haiti following an earthquake, previously expressed his sorrow and mourning for the families and friends of those who perished.

“The Israeli government must cease this indiscriminate killing,” he asserted on social media. “It must stop obstructing humanitarian aid, refrain from targeting civilians and aid workers, and cease using food as a weapon. No more innocent lives should be lost. Peace commences with our shared humanity. It must begin now.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese verified the demise of 44-year-old aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, affirming that his government had reached out to Israel to demand accountability for those responsible.

“This is a human tragedy that should never have transpired, it is completely unacceptable, and Australia will pursue full and proper accountability,” he declared at a press conference on Tuesday.

Albanese emphasized the need to safeguard innocent civilians and humanitarian workers, reiterating his call for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza along with increased aid to alleviate the tremendous suffering.

Poland, which also lost a citizen, released a statement condemning the “disregard for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers.”

Video footage obtained by Reuters depicted a significant breach in the roof of a WCK four-wheel-drive vehicle, along with its scorched and torn interior, as well as paramedics transporting bodies to a hospital and exhibiting the passports of three of the deceased.

“We are devastated and deeply troubled by the strike that claimed the lives of @WCKitchen aid workers in Gaza,” stated U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson on social media. “Humanitarian aid workers must be safeguarded as they deliver desperately needed aid, and we urge Israel to promptly investigate the incident.”

WCK announced an immediate suspension of its operations in the region and stated that decisions regarding the future of its work would be made soon.

WCK provides food relief and prepares meals for individuals in need. It reported last month that it had served over 42 million meals in Gaza over a span of 175 days.

WCK participated in the initial shipment of aid to Gaza through a sea corridor from Cyprus in March. A second maritime aid shipment of 332 tons from WCK arrived in Gaza earlier this week.

Since its inception in 2010, the organization has delivered food to communities affected by natural disasters, refugees at the U.S. border, healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and individuals in conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.