US charity World Central Kitchen announced a heartbreaking development on Saturday, revealing that three of its contractors were tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. This devastating incident has forced the organization to pause its operations in the region.
According to Gaza civil defense agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal, the strike in the main southern city of Khan Yunis claimed the lives of five individuals, including “three employees of World Central Kitchen”.
“The three individuals in the car were contractors of ours,” WCK stated.
Initially, the Israeli military alleged that one of the deceased was involved in a previous Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. However, WCK stated that they had no knowledge of any ties to the said attack.
The Israeli army’s statement indicated that the strike targeted a civilian vehicle that was not coordinated for transporting aid. They have called for urgent clarification from international entities and the WCK administration regarding the hiring of individuals linked to the October 7 incident.
In a separate incident, Save the Children confirmed the loss of one of its staff members, Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi, who was killed in an airstrike while returning home.
Save the Children emphasized the need for accountability over the deaths of their team members, condemning the attacks and calling for a thorough investigation.
The United Nations reported that a staggering 333 aid workers have lost their lives since the war began in October of the previous year, with a significant number of them being UNRWA employees.
Israel’s military actions in response to the October 7 attack have resulted in a substantial number of casualties in Gaza, with at least 44,382 lives lost according to the territory’s health ministry.
The Impact on World Central Kitchen
The loss of three dedicated contractors has deeply impacted World Central Kitchen, leading to a temporary halt in their operations in Gaza.
Save the Children’s Tragic Loss
Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi’s untimely death has left Save the Children mourning the loss of a valued team member, sparking calls for justice and accountability.
UN’s Alarming Statistics
The UN’s report on the high number of aid worker casualties underscores the dangerous and volatile situation in Gaza, where humanitarian efforts are increasingly under threat.
What was the reason behind the Israeli airstrike in Gaza?
The Israeli military targeted individuals allegedly involved in a previous Hamas attack, leading to the tragic deaths of aid workers.
How many aid workers have been killed since the war began?
According to the UN, 333 aid workers have lost their lives in the conflict, with a significant number of them being UNRWA employees.
What is the current death toll in Gaza due to military actions?
At least 44,382 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza as a result of Israel’s retaliatory military offensive, as reported by the territory’s health ministry.
