Six international aid workers, including a Palestinian driver, were killed in a targeted attack by the Israeli military while delivering food aid to Gaza. The victims came from Palestine, Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom and one held dual US-Canada citizenship. The attack occurred as WCK staff were delivering food from their latest shipment to Gaza, a region where a large number of Palestinians are facing a severe food crisis due to Israel’s ongoing offensive.
The charity announced that it was suspending its operations in the region following the incident. Experts warn that the region is on the brink of famine due to severe restrictions on land access by Israeli authorities. The bodies of the aid workers were transferred to a hospital in Rafah, near the Egyptian border.
WCK stated that their team was traveling in a clearly marked convoy consisting of two armored vehicles bearing the WCK logo and one soft-skinned vehicle. Despite coordinating with Israeli army officials, they were attacked as they left Deir al-Balah warehouse where they had unloaded over 100 tons of food aid brought via maritime route.
Erin Gore, CEO of WCK condemned the attack as an assault not just on the charity but all humanitarian organizations working in conflict zones where food is used as a tool of war. She called it an unforgivable act of violence against innocent people who were simply trying to provide aid and support to those in need.
