Israeli Forces Accused of Deliberately Targeting Aid Workers in Gaza
World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder José Andrés has made a bold accusation against Israeli forces in Gaza, claiming they targeted his aid workers “systematically, car by car”.
Andrés insists that the strike on Monday, which resulted in the deaths of seven of his staff members, was not a mistake. He repeated that Israeli forces had prior knowledge of their movements.
The victims of the strike included WCK workers from Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK, and the US, as well as their Palestinian colleague.
While Israel has apologized for the incident and called it a “grave mistake”, WCK has suspended its operations in Gaza and demanded an independent investigation.
Direct Attack on Clearly Marked Vehicles
The aid convoy was hit while leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse after unloading over 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza. The convoy consisted of three vehicles, two of which were armored and prominently displayed the charity’s logo.
Andrés emphasized that this was not a case of accidental bombing, but a deliberate attack on vehicles that were clearly marked and whose movements were known by Israeli forces.
International Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The bodies of the deceased WCK workers have been repatriated, with calls for a thorough investigation into the incident. US President Joe Biden condemned the strike, urging Israel to do more to protect aid workers.
Leaders from various countries, including the UK, Australia, Poland, and Canada, have demanded accountability and transparency from Israel regarding the killings.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with humanitarian aid operations suspended and concerns about civilian casualties mounting.
Devastation in Gaza
Since the military operations began in Gaza, more than 32,916 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The region has been devastated, with ongoing conflicts causing immense suffering and loss of life.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, calling for an end to violence and a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Gaza.
