World Central Kitchen (WCK) has announced that it will continue its operations in Gaza after suspending operations there for a month.
Aid workers, including three British nationals John Chapman (57), James (Jim) Henderson (33) and James Kirby (47), were killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 1st. Seven people died.
The Israel Defense Forces said it had mistaken the aid workers for Hamas fighters and took full responsibility for the killings.
The world was outraged and the WCK, which was responsible for 62 percent of international NGO support in Gaza, withdrew from the besieged enclave.
But on Sunday, WCK announced it would return to Gaza on May 1, as the humanitarian situation there “remains dire.”
CEO Erin Gore said: “We are back in business with the same energy and dignity as before, focused on feeding as many people as possible.
“Food is a universal right, and our work in Gaza has been the most lifesaving mission in our organization's 14-year history.
“We continue to move as much food as possible into Gaza, including in northern Gaza, by land, air and sea.
“We are forced to decide between ceasing our meals completely in the midst of the worst hunger crisis in history, or continuing to eat while our donors, aid workers and civilians are being threatened and killed. I am.
“These are the most difficult conversations to have, and we must consider all perspectives when having them. Ultimately, we must continue to provide food and fulfill our mission to feed people during the most difficult of times.” I decided I had to continue.”
The IDF said it had made a “serious mistake” and promised to change its operational rules afterward.
However, WCK said that “no concrete guarantees have been given” and reiterated that “the demand for an impartial and international investigation remains”.
WCK said it is preparing 276 trucks, equivalent to about 8 million meals, to enter from the Rafah intersection.
It also plans to send trucks from Jordan, “exploring maritime corridors and utilizing the port of Ashdod.”
In addition to the three British nationals, the Israeli airstrike also killed Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abu Taha (25), Australian Damian Sobol (43), Polish national Jacob Flickinger (35), A 33-year-old Palestinian dual citizen also died. USA and Canada.
The announcement came as the world watched with bated breath at the possibility of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with a French diplomatic source reportedly saying it was “not far off.”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Monday that Hamas should accept a “generous” ceasefire package that has been put on the table.
“I am by no means optimistic about this, because it is never a good idea to be optimistic about peace in these very difficult circumstances,” the foreign minister said at the World Economic Forum, which is being held for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. said.
“Frankly, it seems to me that there is a fairly generous offer of a 40-day ceasefire continuation and the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of these hostages who are currently being held captive. 200 days or more.
“I hope that Hamas agrees to this deal. Frankly today, all the pressure in the world and the eyes of the world should be on them and say, 'Let's get a deal.' That's something we all should do. It's going to bring about the cessation of this fighting that we're hoping for.'' Looks great. ”
He added that it was important for countries to translate this pause in fighting into a “durable ceasefire” by investing in the Palestinian Authority and providing “an appropriate political horizon” for a two-state solution. Ta.
But he said that would require the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the dismantling of the militant group's leadership and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
Two Hamas officials interviewed by Reuters did not provide details of the latest proposal, but people briefed on the talks said Hamas would respond to Israel's latest ceasefire proposal, which was submitted on Saturday. He said it was a forecast.
The official said this would include accepting the release of fewer than 40 hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons, and a “period of sustained tranquility,” which is Israel's compromise response to Hamas' demands. The agreement includes an agreement on a second phase of the ceasefire. To end the war.
After the first phase ends, Israel plans to allow free movement between the north and south of Gaza and a partial withdrawal of troops, the official said.
