Seven NGO workers killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza Strip, including four foreigners: “Israeli government must stop indiscriminate killings”

According to World Central Kitchen, the NGO for which the fatalities contributed to the food supply in the Gaza Strip, the seven were in two armored cars bearing the NGO’s logo and a third vehicle. According to the NGO, that convoy had just left a warehouse in Deir al Balah, in the center of the Gaza Strip, where they had unloaded more than a hundred tons of food aid. Immediately after their departure, they were targeted by an Israeli airstrike.

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“Three of them have British, Australian and Polish nationalities,” Hamas said. It also distributed images of three (bloodied) passports of the victims. A fourth foreign victim appears to have dual Canadian and American nationality. A fifth victim was a Palestinian driver/interpreter employed by the NGO. It is not yet clear about the nationality of the two other victims.

World Central Kitchen is an American NGO involved in the delivery of emergency aid to the Gaza Strip by boat from Cyprus and the construction of a temporary jetty in the Gaza Strip. The first ship was able to moor there in mid-March and be unloaded under the supervision of the Israeli army.

The NGO coordinates its activities with the Israeli army. It is still unclear why and how this convoy was attacked.

WCK confirms loss

The founder of World Central Kitchen, José Andrés, stated on Twitter that “WCK lost several sisters and brothers today in an airstrike by the Israeli army in Gaza.” “The Israeli government must stop these indiscriminate killings,” it said. “She must stop restricting humanitarian aid, killing civilians and aid workers and using food as a weapon. No more innocent lives lost. Peace begins with our shared humanity. It has to start now.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of an Australian woman who worked for the American NGO on Tuesday morning. He praised the “extremely valuable” work Zomi Frankcom carried out and added that Australia will investigate who is responsible.

Israel investigates incident

The White House said it was “heartbroken” after the news. “The humanitarian workers must be protected as they provide much-needed assistance (to the Palestinians). We call on Israel to immediately investigate what happened,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.

The Israeli military said it is “investigating the tragic incident at the highest level to understand the circumstances” and assured that it has “cooperated closely with WCK” for the distribution of relief supplies to the people of Gaza.

World Central Kitchen is involved in the delivery of emergency aid to the Gaza Strip by boat from Cyprus and in the construction of a temporary jetty. The first ship was able to moor there in mid-March and be unloaded under the supervision of the Israeli army.