April 2, 2024 (EIRNS)—Seven aid workers with the World Central Kitchen (WCK), getting food to starving Palestinians in central Gaza, were targeted and killed last night in an attack by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to the statement today by the WCK. The WCK identified the seven, which included a Palestinian, an Australian, a Pole, three British nationals, and a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen. They also displayed three bloody passports. The seven had just left a warehouse in two vehicles with the WCK logo on them, after unloading tons of food that had been delivered by sea. The WCK explained that the movements of their personnel have been routinely provided to the IDF, and that they had done so again in this case.
WCK CEO Erin Gore stated: “Despite coordinating movements with the IDF, the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route…. I am heartbroken and appalled that we—World Central Kitchen and the world—lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF…. This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations, where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable.” The WCK has been the largest provider of food to Gaza, outside of the UN’s own efforts. WCK’s founder, Washington-based celebrity chef José Andres, posted on X, calling on the Israeli government to stop its “indiscriminate killing,” restriction of humanitarian aid, and “using food as a weapon” in Gaza.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X that “our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip. This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry…. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence.”
IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated: “We have been reviewing the incident at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of what happened and how it happened. We will be opening a probe to examine this serious incident further.” He provided a video praising the WCK: “For the last few months, the IDF has been working closely with the World Central Kitchen to assist them in fulfilling their noble mission of helping bring food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The work of WCK is critical; they are on the frontlines of humanity.… [W]e will get to the bottom of this and we will share our findings transparently.”
