An Israeli air strike in Gaza late on Monday, the 1st of April, killed seven employees of the non-governmental organisation World Central Kitchen (WCK), including foreign nationals, according to the organisation, reports Reuters.
Polish, Australian and British citizens, as well as a Palestinian and a US-Canadian dual citizen, were reportedly killed in the incident in central Gaza.
WCK said the convoy was hit as it was leaving a warehouse after unloading more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid that had been delivered to Gaza by sea.
“This is a tragedy. Humanitarian workers and civilians should NEVER be a target. NEVER,”
WCK wrote on X.
The Islamist group Hamas said the attack was aimed at “terrorising” international aid workers and deterring them from carrying out their mission.
Commenting on the reports, the Israeli armed forces said they were conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances of the so-called tragic incident.
“The IDF is making great efforts to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and is working closely with the WCK, which provides vital food and humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza,” the army said in a statement.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of the Australian aid worker at a press conference on Tuesday and said it was unacceptable and demanded Israel take responsibility.
Calling it a “human tragedy”, he stressed the need to protect innocent civilians and aid workers, urging a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and increased aid to alleviate suffering.
WCK provides food aid and cooked meals to those in need and last month distributed more than 42 million meals in the Gaza Strip. Founded in 2010 by chef Jose Andres, sending cooks and food to Haiti, WCK has helped communities affected by natural disasters, refugees, health workers during Covid-19 and people in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza.
Chef José Andrés said he was heartbroken and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
He called on the Israeli government to stop the massacres, lift restrictions on humanitarian aid and stop attacks on civilians and aid workers, stressing that peace “needs to start now”.
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