WASHINGTON – Chef and philanthropist José Andrés calls Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip that have killed civilians, including seven World Central Kitchen volunteers, an ongoing “crime against humanity.” said to be equivalent to.
“This has been going on for far too long. It's been going on for six months, targeting anything that moves,” Andres said in an interview on ABC's “This Week” that aired Sunday. he said.
“This no longer seems like a war on terror. This no longer seems like a war to defend Israel. At this point, this really seems like a war against humanity itself,” Andres added. The beloved celebrity chef tearfully said during an interview:
The aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike as their convoy left a warehouse in Deir al-Balah last week. They had coordinated their actions with the Israeli military in advance and were traveling in armored vehicles bearing the World Central Kitchen logo.
Israel called the attack a “grave mistake” and said the IDF had mistakenly identified World Central Kitchen workers as Hamas gunmen. The Israeli military has fired two officers for their role in the attack.
Andres rejected Israel's explanation in an interview, telling ABC News: “Every time something happens, we can't just drag Hamas into the problem.”
Andres' interview took place on the six-month anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which prompted Israeli military retaliation.
The United States is pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government over the rising number of civilian deaths in Gaza. Some officials have suggested cutting off aid to Israel to build a ceasefire.
President Joe Biden spoke with Andres last week and expressed his anger over the deaths at World Central Kitchen. He also stressed that US support in the war in Gaza depends on “immediate” measures to protect civilians and aid workers.
“They were feeding starving civilians in the middle of a war,” Biden said. “They were brave and selfless. Their deaths are a tragedy.”
“This is unacceptable. I have to live with this for the rest of my life,” Andres said in an interview with ABC about the attack.
Contributors: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswami, Dan Morrison, Sudiksha Kochi, John Bacon
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chef Jose Andrés slams Israel for 'war against humanity' in Gaza
