Seven employees of the NGO World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli air raid in the Gaza Strip. “World Central Kitchen is shocked to confirm that seven members of our team were killed in Gaza in an IDF attack,” the US-based NGO said in a statement, adding that the victims “came from Australia, Poland , United Kingdom, a dual American and Canadian citizen and a Palestinian."
After the tragedy, the food aid organization decided to suspend its activities in the region. The raid «is not just an attack against Wck, it is an attack on humanitarian organizations that present themselves in the most terrible situations, where food is used as a weapon of war. It is unforgivable," Erin Gore, the CEO of the NGO founded by Spanish chef José Andres, said in a statement. The team «traveled aboard two armored cars with the logo» of the NGO and, «despite the movements having been coordinated with the IDF, the convoy was hit while leaving the Deir al-Balah depot, where the team had unloaded more of 100 tons of humanitarian food aid » arrived in Gaza via the maritime corridor from Cyprus.
«Following the news regarding the personnel of the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, the IDF is conducting a thorough examination at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident », the Israeli army writes on Telegram. “The IDF makes great efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and works closely with the WCK in their vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” the statement continues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke about the incident: «A tragic case in which our forces hit innocent people in the Strip without intention. This happens in war and we will open an investigation. We are in contact with the governments involved and will do everything to ensure this never happens again."
“We are saddened and deeply disturbed by the attack,” US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote on X, adding that “humanitarian workers must be protected as they deliver desperately needed aid, and we urge Israel to quickly investigate the incident." The EU Commission also calls for "an in-depth investigation" into the death of the seven NGO workers: "Humanitarian workers must always be protected, in line with international humanitarian law", writes the EU executive on X. "I condemn the attack and I urge an investigation. Despite requests for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, we are witnessing new innocent victims", the words of Borrell who calls for the immediate implementation of the UN resolution for "an immediate ceasefire, full humanitarian access and strengthened protection of civilians" .
(Unioneonline/D)