Quick Summary
• An Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis targeted a World Central Kitchen (WCK) vehicle, killing five people, including three aid workers.
• Witnesses reported that two bystanders trying to assist after the first strike were killed in a subsequent “double-tap” strike.
• The IDF claimed the vehicle carried a militant linked to the October 7th attacks, but WCK denied knowledge of any such ties.
• WCK has paused operations in Gaza, halting critical food distribution efforts for the region’s struggling population.
• Aid deliveries to Gaza have hit historic lows due to blockades and attacks, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
• Save the Children also lost a staff member in Khan Younis on the same day, underscoring the risks faced by aid workers.
• International calls for accountability and protection for humanitarian organizations have intensified following the incident.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza reached new depths as an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle carrying staff from World Central Kitchen (WCK), killing five individuals, including three aid workers and two bystanders. This devastating attack highlights the risks faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones and raises pressing questions about the safety of delivering aid amidst escalating violence.
World Central Kitchen, founded by renowned chef José Andrés, has been a lifeline for communities in crisis, providing meals and food aid to those in need. In Gaza, the organization has operated community kitchens and distributed essential food supplies to combat the region’s mounting humanitarian challenges. As the blockade tightened and conditions worsened, WCK played a crucial role in addressing hunger and offering hope to families struggling under the weight of conflict.
On Salah al-Din Street in Khan Younis, an airstrike reduced a WCK vehicle to charred rubble. Witnesses reported that the vehicle, laden with rice and food supplies, was hit during its journey. The first strike killed three aid workers, including the director of WCK’s Gaza kitchens. Moments later, two local farmers attempting to assist were killed in a second strike, a tactic commonly referred to as a “double-tap strike.”
Tamer Sammour, an eyewitness, described the scene: “The vehicle carried rice and other food supplies. They were waiting to be picked up for work when the first strike hit the vehicle nearby.” Mohammed Abu Abed, a local resident, identified one of the victims as a farmer who had earlier asked for bread but was denied due to shortages. “They were just trying to make a living. They were innocent.”
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the strike targeted a militant involved in the October 7th attacks, asserting that intelligence linked the individual to terror activities. However, WCK rejected these claims, stating it had “no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the October 7th Hamas attack.” The organization, heartbroken by the loss of its colleagues, has paused operations in Gaza to reassess the risks.
“Our hearts are with our colleagues and their families in this unimaginable moment,” WCK stated, emphasizing its commitment to humanitarian aid and its shock over the targeting of its staff.
The repercussions of the attack have rippled across Gaza. Al-Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary reported that community kitchens were shuttered in the aftermath, leaving thousands without vital meals. “It’s beyond attacking Palestinians, Palestinian workers, and aid organizations. It’s attacking all sources of aid,” she said. The disruption to WCK’s operations compounds an already dire situation, with aid deliveries at an all-time low due to Israeli blockades.
The strike on WCK is not an isolated incident. In April, another Israeli airstrike targeted a WCK convoy, killing seven workers and drawing international condemnation. Despite IDF admissions of “grave mistakes” and promises of accountability, attacks on aid workers have persisted.
The targeting of humanitarian workers reflects a disturbing trend in the conflict. Aid organizations are struggling to operate in Gaza, where restrictions and attacks on supply routes have left millions at risk of starvation. A recent analysis revealed that the delivery of life-saving aid has plummeted, exacerbating the region’s food insecurity and leaving many dependent on sporadic distributions.
Saturday’s tragedy also claimed the life of Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi, a Save the Children staff member, who was killed while returning home. “Ahmad, who was deaf, will be remembered for his determination to help others, for his pride in his daughter, and for his ability to brighten others’ days,” the organization said in a statement.
The stories emerging from Gaza paint a harrowing picture of loss and resilience. A doctor treating victims of the strike recounted the severity of injuries: “I operated on a man with shrapnel injury with no fewer than nine holes in his bowels. Others had much worse injuries.” Even healthcare workers, reliant on aid agencies for food, are not immune to the crisis.
The double-tap strike tactic, which often targets those attempting to provide aid after an initial attack, has drawn widespread condemnation. Such strikes not only inflict immediate casualties but also undermine trust in humanitarian operations, leaving communities even more vulnerable.
The attack on WCK has reignited calls for accountability and protection for aid workers. International organizations and governments have urged Israel to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the operations of aid groups. The IDF’s justification for the strike has been met with skepticism, as evidence linking WCK staff to militancy remains unsubstantiated.
Despite these challenges, WCK remains steadfast in its mission. “World Central Kitchen had no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the October 7th Hamas attack,” the organization reiterated, urging clarity and accountability in the face of tragedy.
“Our hearts are with our colleagues and their families in this unimaginable moment,” WCK’s statement concluded.
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