Israeli airstrike claims lives of seven World Central Kitchen workers In another tragic genocidal event, a targeted Israeli strategic air attack in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including six international aid workers and a Palestinian driver.
Among those killed were citizens volunteering from Australia, Britain, Poland, the United Kingdom, and US-Canada citizens.
World Central Kitchen (WCK), a United States-based aid organization, confirmed the murder of its staff members in what it described as a “targeted attack” by the Israeli military.
The aid workers had been engaged in delivering vital food from WCK’s recent shipment to Gaza, where severe food shortages had pushed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the brink of famine amidst unrelenting Israel’s genocidal attacks.
Footage from the scene depicted the solemn aftermath as the bodies of the victims were received at a hospital in the central town of Deir el-Balah. Many of them were adorned in protective gear bearing the charity’s logo.
In response to the devastating incident, WCK announced an immediate suspension of its operations in the region. The airstrike dealt a severe blow to humanitarian efforts, particularly those relying on maritime routes due to Israeli restrictions on access to Gaza, where famine looms large.
Despite efforts to coordinate movements with the Israeli army and travelling in clearly marked vehicles, the convoy carrying WCK personnel and aid supplies was targeted as it left the Deir al-Balah warehouse. Erin Gore, CEO of the charity, condemned the attack, labelling it as an assault not only on WCK but on all humanitarian organizations striving to alleviate suffering in conflict zones.
The bodies of the aid workers have been transported to a hospital in Rafah, situated along the Egyptian border.
Plans are underway to evacuate the bodies of the foreign nationals out of Gaza, while the Palestinian driver’s remains will be handed over to his family in Rafah for burial.
