Last week, seven humanitarian aid workers were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. The World Central Kitchen (WCK) team was traveling through a conflict zone in an armored vehicle with the WCK logo. According to a WCK statement, the team was on its way from a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, where it unloaded more than 100 tons of food that was transported to Gaza by sea route, even though the movement was coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces. The vehicle was reportedly attacked.
research from Al Jazeera He said the attack on the WCK convoy was intentional. Direct attacks on humanitarian aid are war crimes outlined by the United Nations. Aid workers are protected by international law, even if WCK is not working in conjunction with the IDF.
WCK is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by celebrity chef José Andrés and his wife Patricia. The US-based organization operates on the belief that food is a universal human right. They provide meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. WCK has partnered with other humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza to provide more than 42 million meals since October, but it is not enough. In a March 29 statement, Jose Andres and WCK CEO Erin Gore described the need in Gaza as “the greatest challenge we have ever seen or experienced in our 15-year history.” It's the most tragic thing I've ever done.”
“This is not just an attack on WCK, but an attack on humanitarian organizations in the most dire situations where food is used as a weapon of war,” said Erin Gore. “This is unacceptable.”
This is not the first attack on humanitarian aid workers in Gaza. According to the Aid Worker Safety Database, 203 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since October 7. Most of the other incidents involved Palestinian aid workers.
With no end in sight to the Israeli-Gaza war, Palestinians are relying on humanitarian aid to prevent death from malnutrition and dehydration. Following the attacks, several aid organizations, including WCK, suspended their operations in Gaza, citing the danger to their staff. The impact of this moratorium will be devastating for Gaza, with experts saying famine is imminent. Israel's border restrictions and ongoing fighting have severely limited the delivery of aid. Although humanitarian aid routes have been gradually established, continuity plans are currently up in the air.
The family of victim Lalzaumi “Zomi” Francome said in a statement that she was “a kind, selfless, outstanding human being who helped others in their time of need and traveled the world.” Ta.
“I was so excited, like going to a wedding,” said Shadi Abu Taha, recalling the moment on Monday when his brother Saif and the WCK team set out to drop off desperately needed food aid.
This is a devastating loss of life for the victims' families, friends and colleagues, and it is clear that aid workers from WCK and other organizations are not safe, despite the protections of international law.
Caitlin Marquardt is a third-year journalism student at Ohio University. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of our company. post. Want to talk about columns?Email Caitlin km844320@ohio.edu.
