Worker killed in Israeli attack, WCK relief operations suspended

Last Updated on April 3, 2024 1:41 am

The World Central Kitchen (WCK), an international relief aid organization, has announced the suspension of relief operations after seven of its workers were killed in an attack by Israeli forces in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah.

At least seven World Central Kitchen workers were killed in an Israeli attack on Monday (April 1). The media reported the Wall Street Journal and The National News.

World Central Kitchen said in a statement that the deceased group was attacked while passing through an isolated area in a vehicle bearing the WCK logo. Despite coordinating with the Israeli army, the group came under attack while leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah.

The deceased are said to be citizens of Australia, Poland, United Kingdom and Palestine, along with dual citizens of the United States and Canada.

The organization’s CEO, Erin Gore, said this is not just an attack on the WCK, it is an attack on humanitarian organizations. This incident shows the worst situation of using food as a weapon of war in the region.

World Central Kitchen is immediately suspending our operations in the region, the company’s statement said. We will soon decide on the future of our work.

Notably, World Central Kitchen is one of the two charities operating humanitarian aid to Gaza through the maritime corridor.

The organization’s team was said to be unloading 100 tonnes of food aid through the Maritime Corridor shortly before the aid workers’ vehicle was hit.