(NewsReady.com) – José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen delivered tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza in March. The chef’s organization has been moving food from a barge up to northern Gaza in recent weeks to help the famine there. Sadly, several aid workers were killed by Israeli bombs the day after Easter.
On April 1, World Central Kitchen workers were traveling in a convoy in the Gaza Strip in clearly marked vehicles when Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) started firing on them with missiles. Seven workers died in the attack. The non-governmental organization (NGO) released the names of the victims in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
- John Chapman, 57, from the United Kingdom
- James Henderson, 33, from the United Kingdom
- James Kirby, 47, from the United Kingdom
- Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, from Palestine
- Lalzawmi Frankcom, 43, from Australia
- Damian Soból, 35, from Poland
- Jacob Flickinger, 33, a dual-US and Canadian citizen
The next day, World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore released a statement calling the attack “unforgivable” and accusing Israel of using food “as a weapon of war.” She went on to say she was “heartbroken and appalled” by the lives that were lost “because of a targeted attack by the IDF.” As a result, the organization has paused operations in the region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement calling for an investigation. He called the aid workers “heroes” who “run into the fire, not away from it,” according to The New York Times.
President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the deaths and criticized the Israeli government. He pointed out that one of the biggest issues with trying to get aid to the Palestinian people is the danger of airstrikes from Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a message on X saying his government “deeply regrets the tragic incident” and sent his condolences to the families of those killed.
Israel deeply regrets the tragic incident which claimed the lives of seven humanitarian aid workers.
Our hearts go out to their families and to their home countries.
The IDF is conducting a swift and transparent investigation and we will make our findings public.
Israel…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 2, 2024
Netanyahu claimed that he’s committed to ensuring aid reaches civilians in Gaza.
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