International aid workers killed in Gaza attack, organization points to Israel

NOS News•today, 02:12•Amended today, 07:58

Seven employees of food aid organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) have been killed in Deir al-Balah, in the middle of the Gaza Strip. According to the aid organization and the authorities in Gaza, they were hit by an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli army says it is investigating “at the highest level”.

The victims are citizens of the United States, Canada, Poland, Australia, the United Kingdom and their Palestinian driver. A photo shared by the Gaza authorities’ spokesperson office shows several victims. Passports have been placed on their bodies. It can also be seen that the victims are wearing protective clothing with the World Central Kitchen logo.

WCK says the workers were hit by an Israeli airstrike after leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah. They had just delivered relief supplies there that they had taken from a ship. “Despite coordination with the Israeli army, the convoy was hit,” the aid organization said in a statement.

“This is not just an attack on WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian aid organizations working in the most dire situations where food is used as a weapon of war. This is inexcusable.”

The aid agency says it has immediately halted all activities in the region. For how long is not known. “We will soon be making decisions about the future of our work,” said director Erin Gore.

Emergency workers on site after the air raid:

International aid workers killed in Gaza: ‘Completely unacceptable’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has asked the Israeli ambassador to his country for clarification about the attack. Albanese said he expects “full accountability” from Israel.

World Central Kitchen was founded in 2010 by Spanish celebrity chef José Andrés after the deadly earthquake in Haiti. The organization provides meals to victims of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Andrés said in a message on social media platform X know that he is deeply affected by the death of his “brothers and sisters” and sympathize with the families and friends of the victims. He also calls on Israel to stop killing civilians and aid workers: