World Central Kitchen, which has been a lifeline for the people of the beleaguered Gaza strip, has lost seven foreign nationals in an Israeli military strike. WCK said its aid workers were traveling in a “deconflicted zone” in two armored cars branded with the charity’s logo as well as “a soft skin vehicle.”
“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,” the group said in a statement.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a beacon of hope and nourishment, not only in Gaza but in the aftermath of global disasters. Founded by Chef José Andrés in 2010, this non-profit organization is renowned for its rapid response to provide meals in the wake of crises, utilizing local resources to serve over 350 million meals globally.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) has been actively involved in providing aid in Gaza, particularly through innovative solutions to meet the needs of families affected by conflict. Their work has included the development of stoves that use wood pellets for fuel, which are essential in areas where cooking fuel is scarce. These stoves have been used to prepare thousands of hot meals daily in their Field Kitchen in Rafah, a city that has seen a significant influx of displaced families. WCK’s efforts in Gaza represent a commitment to overcoming logistical challenges and delivering humanitarian aid efficiently.
The workers killed in the strike include a dual US-Canada national, as well as people from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, and a Palestinian, the group said.
“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,” World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore said in the statement.
“The love they had for feeding people, the determination they embodied to show that humanity rises above all, and the impact they made in countless lives will forever be remembered and cherished,” Gore added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it is “conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident.”
IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Tuesday that he had spoken to World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres to express “the deepest condolences of the Israel Defense Forces to the families and the entire World Central Kitchen family.”
As a result of the attack, World Central Kitchen said it was pausing its operations in Gaza. At a time when the UN, the International Court of Justice and the media are all criticizing Israel for its disproportionate targeting of the civilians in Gaza, this latest incident, causing the death of NGO humanitarian aid workers, only adds to the scrutiny.
A more dire and immediate consequence of the deaths and its subsequent pause of services is a further reduction of food supplies that will be reaching a population that is on the brink of irreversible famine. The WCK is one of the few aid organizations delivering desperately needed food in Gaza where 2.2 million people do not have enough to eat.
The reactions have been strong and emotional.
“Today @WCKitchen lost several of our sisters and brothers in an IDF air strike in Gaza,” Andres, the charity’s founder, wrote on X. “I am heartbroken and grieving for their families and friends and our whole WCK family.”
“The Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing. It needs to stop restricting humanitarian aid, stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon,” he added.
“These are people…angels…I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia. They are not faceless…they are not nameless.”
“Nowhere else are so many aid workers killed,” Egeland said.
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said on X that the White House was “heartbroken and deeply troubled” by the killings. Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing was “shocked” by the attack.
Matthew Hollingworth, the World Food Programme’s Palestine director praised the “life-saving work” of those killed, while Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary General Jan Egeland called for an immediate ceasefire.
