World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by chef Jose Andrés, officially opens in Gaza nearly a month after an Israeli airstrike tragically claimed the lives of seven aid workers. It was reopened in .
The team partnered with local Palestinian organizations to distribute food, aiming to alleviate widespread hunger in the region caused by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The team's decision to return and provide aid after losing aid workers left many wondering, “Why?” But in an op-ed for the Washington Post, Andres said, “Our decision to resume feeding in Gaza is at once the most difficult and simplest decision we can make.'' “Yes,” he simply said.
Andres went on to say that this was a difficult decision because his team paid top dollar to help strangers, but it also helped feed millions of people around the world in their time of need. The well-known organization explained that it was an easy decision because they know what people want. Their help is always there and much needed during this time.
“We cannot stand idly by while so many people struggle to obtain the necessities of life. Food is a universal human right, and these basic We will not stop until human rights are respected,” Andres wrote.
israel at war
World Central Kitchen resumes feeding operations in Gaza weeks after deadly Israeli attack
April 28, 2024 10:59 AM
This week, teams resumed operations in Gaza, deploying 276 trucks to deliver around 8 million meals via Rafah, and sending trucks from Jordan to distribute food in northern Gaza. However, Andres emphasized that most of the people they support are Palestinian and that throughout the organization's work, they are usually supported by many local residents.
“We expect and insist that the Israel Defense Forces protect and respect the lives and work of Palestinian team members in the same way as they would the citizens of any other country,” Andres wrote. “Such treatment has been rare since we came to the region. For example, all team members are vetted and cleared before food delivery missions, but our Palestinian team members , stripped naked and humiliated by Israeli soldiers while engaged in a mission coordinated and authorized by the Israel Defense Forces.”
After seven aid workers were killed in an airstrike during a convoy, the Israel Defense Forces said the airstrike was a “serious error resulting from mistaken identity, poor decision-making, and a serious failure resulting from an attack that violated national regulations.” “It was,” he admitted. Standard operating procedures. “
Andres said he hopes the Biden administration will hold the Israeli government accountable for protecting future humanitarian workers.
