Charity staff from Australia, the UK, Palestine, Palestine, the US and Canada were killed Monday in what eyewitnesses say were intentional drone strikes by the Israeli military. World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity distributes food received by boat and land. Three well marked vehicles were leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse in central Gaza when Israeli drones struck the first, then a few minutes later the second, then a few minutes later, the third vehicle.
At least 195 aid workers have been killed since October 7th, along with nearly 33,000 Palestinians including more than 13,000 children.
On Tuesday, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Palestine, Francesca Albanese, said on social media “Knowing how Israel operates, my assessment is that Israeli forces intentionally killed WCK workers so that donors would pull out & civilians in Gaza could continue to be starved quietly.”The WCK, which suspended its operations in Gaza following the strike, was one of several NGOs delivering food to Palestinians in Gaza by sea. Prior to October 7, food and other goods entered mainly through land crossings, and aid distribution was mainly carried out by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees – UNRWA, which Israel has called to shut down.
For the past six months, the Israeli army has imposed a total blockade of food, electricity, and fuel on all of the Gaza Strip. In recent months, Israel has prevented the entry of humanitarian aid through long checking of aid trucks, which are often rejected entry. Egypt, which controls the other side of the Rafah crossing point, has also been accused of blocking aid entry.
Following the attack, Israel’s allies called for a full investigation. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu claimd the deaths were “unintentional.” Military chief Herzi Halevi blamed “a misidentification.” Polish Prime Minister Tusk said the attack caused “understandable anger.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the death of the Australian Zomi Frankcom was “completely unacceptable.” US President Joe Biden said, “Even more tragically, this is not a stand-alone incident. … This is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult—because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers. … The United States has repeatedly urged Israel to deconflict their military operations against Hamas with humanitarian operations, in order to avoid civilian casualties.”
José Andrés, WCK’s founder, wrote in a New York Times op-ed that the three vehicles were “clearly marked” and traveling on a route and a schedule known to the Israeli military.
Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, wrote on Twitter following the attack:
These were targeted hits on clearly marked humanitarian vehicles whose movement had been cleared with the IDF.
Clearly forbidden under international law. A total violation of IDF’s legal obligation to distinguish non-mil objects and protect aid workers.https://t.co/5OVZOWroGj
Charles McBryde’s moving tribute to his friends who lost their lives while working for the W C K and his thoughts on the claims that this was a mistake/accident.#WCKpic.twitter.com/kmMlQATctz
WCK CEO Erin Gore said that “These seven beautiful souls were killed in a strike as they were returning from a full day’s mission. Their smiles, laughter and voices are forever embedded in our memories. And we have countless memories of them giving their best selves to the world. We are reeling from our loss. The world’s loss.” The dead workers are Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, age 25 from Palestine, Zomi Frankcom, age 43 from Australia, Damian Sobol, age 35 from Poland, Jacob Flickinger, age 33 from USA & Canada, John Chapman, age 57 from UK, Jim Henderson age 33 from UK and James Kirby age 47 from UK.
WCK and a second food charity, the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) announced they were halting work in Gaza.
Since 7 October 2023, Israel has killed nearly 33,000 Palestinians, and many survivors are homeless and starving.
