Seven aid workers, including foreigners, were killed in an Israeli attack on Gaza, including World Central kitchen workers

Seven World Central Kitchen Aid Group workers in Gaza, including foreigners, were killed in the Israeli strike

Foreigners were among seven aid workers who died in an Israeli military attack while they were giving food to hungry people in Gaza. This news was confirmed by the non-profit group World Central Kitchen and officials in the area.

The aid group members were traveling in a regular vehicle and two protected cars with the World Central Kitchen logo when they were hit on Monday, as stated by the organization.

The group said their convoy got hit even though they had talked with the IDF about their movements. They also said they were leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse after delivering more than 100 tons of food aid when it happened.

Earlier on Monday, three aid ships from Cyprus arrived, bringing around 400 tons of food and supplies. This aid was arranged by the charity and the United Arab Emirates. It's the second shipment, following a trial run last month. The Israeli military helped coordinate both deliveries.

"This isn't just an assault on WCK; it's an assault on humanitarian groups aiding in the most desperate situations where food is being weaponized in war," stated CEO Erin Gore. "This is unacceptable."

The WCK said the members who lost their lives were from Australia, Poland, and the United Kingdom, along with one who had dual citizenship in the United States and Canada, along with Palestine.

The group mentioned that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is looking into what happened. For now, they said they will stop their operations in the area and will decide on their next steps shortly.

The IDF stated that they work hard to ensure that humanitarian aid can be safely delivered. They've been closely collaborating with WCK to help them provide food and humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza, which is crucial.

Jose Andres, the chef and founder of WCK, expressed deep sorrow and sadness for the families and friends of the WCK workers who lost their lives.

Today @WCKitchen lost several of our sisters and brothers in an IDF air strike in Gaza. I am heartbroken and grieving for their families and friends and our whole WCK family. These are people…angels…I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia. They… https://t.co/rM3xbsiQ1Q

— Chef José Andrés 🕊️🥘🍳 (@chefjoseandres) April 1, 2024

He also said, "I am deeply saddened and mourning for their families, friends, and our entire WCK community. These are individuals...heroes...I worked in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, the Bahamas, and Indonesia. They aren't unknown...they aren't without names. The Israeli government must end this random killing. They must allow humanitarian aid, protect civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon. We can't afford any more innocent lives lost. Peace begins with our common humanity. It must begin immediately."

The U.S. has praised the sea route as a fresh method to bring urgent aid to northern Gaza, where the U.N. has warned that many people are close to starving. Israeli forces have mostly blocked off this area from the rest of Gaza. They've stopped UNRWA, the primary U.N. agency in Gaza, from delivering aid to the north. Other aid groups also find it too risky to send truck convoys north because the military hasn't made sure it's safe.

In their recent report, UNRWA said that 173 of their coworkers had been killed in Gaza during the fighting. This number doesn't include workers from other aid groups.