World Central Kitchen (WCK), an international food charity, has decided to suspend its operations in Gaza following an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven of its workers. Among the deceased were three British citizens, as confirmed by WCK. The charity stated that the workers were part of a convoy leaving a warehouse in central Gaza at the time of the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged the tragedy, admitting that innocent individuals were unintentionally hit by Israeli forces. WCK, a major provider of aid to Gaza, expressed its intention to evaluate its future actions following the devastating loss of its personnel.
The convoy, which had recently unloaded over 100 tons of humanitarian food aid, was struck while departing from the Deir al-Balah warehouse. Notably, WCK had coordinated the convoy’s movements with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prior to the incident. The IDF has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
Furthermore, the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), an organization closely associated with WCK, has also announced the suspension of its operations in Gaza in response to the attack. The global community, represented by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has demanded accountability for the death of aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom and others.
In parallel, the Polish government has sought confirmation regarding the death of Damian Soból, a Polish volunteer in Gaza. Likewise, the UK Foreign Office, along with Lord Cameron, has urged Israel to promptly and transparently investigate the incident. This tragic occurrence underscores the dangers faced by aid workers in Gaza, where violence has claimed numerous lives amidst ongoing military operations and hostage situations.
