Tragedy struck in Gaza on Monday as an airstrike took the lives of four international aid workers and their Palestinian driver.
The aid workers were part of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization founded by renowned chef José Andrés. According to the organization, they have delivered over 37 million meals to Palestinians in Gaza since Oct. 7. The workers were on their way from Deir al-Balah to Rafah when the convoy they were in was struck.
During a news conference, Gaza's media office spokesperson mentioned that one worker was British, one was Polish, and one was Australian. The nationality of the fourth worker remains unknown as of Monday evening.
Heart-wrenching images showed the devastating aftermath of the airstrike, with the aid workers' mangled bodies, some still in World Central Kitchen t-shirts, and their passports scattered around.
A Palestinian Red Crescent paramedic, who assisted in transporting the bodies to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, recounted to The Associated Press that the workers were in a three-car convoy leaving northern Gaza when they were hit by an Israeli missile.
Following recent events, World Central Kitchen expressed its awareness of the attack, describing it as a tragedy. In a statement on social media, World Central Kitchen emphasized that humanitarian aid workers and civilians should never be targeted under any circumstances.
Chef José Andrés took to social media to share a heartfelt message, revealing that his organization had lost several members in an IDF air strike in Gaza. He urged the Israeli government to cease harming civilians and aid workers, emphasizing the need to stop weaponizing food.
"My heart is heavy as I mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters, who I had the privilege to work alongside in various regions," Andrés expressed. "They are not just individuals, they are the angels who dedicated themselves to serving others."
The attack took place shortly after a three-ship convoy departed from Cyprus carrying 400 tons of essential supplies for Gaza. This mission was initiated amidst concerns about a looming famine in the region. The United States has voiced optimism about the maritime route from Cyprus potentially serving as a vital lifeline for northern Gaza.
World Central Kitchen announced that the supplies heading to Gaza included rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables, proteins, and enough food to make over 1 million meals. The shipment also carried dates, traditionally consumed to end the daily fast during Ramadan.
Warnings from the United Nations and other organizations indicate that famine could soon strike the devastated and isolated northern region of Gaza. Approximately 1.7 million people in Gaza have been displaced, lacking access to essential resources like food, water, medicine, and suitable shelter.
Since Oct. 7, tens of thousands of individuals, primarily civilians, have lost their lives in the conflict. Hamas-led militants initiated the violence by invading southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and the capture of approximately 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a comprehensive offensive involving air, land, and sea operations, leading to the deaths of nearly 33,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry's data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but it highlights that women and children account for about two-thirds of the casualties.
