World Central Kitchen announced that it would resume operations in Gaza with a local team of Palestinian aid workers, nearly a month after the Israeli military killed seven of the organization’s workers in targeted drone strikes on their convoy. Israeli military officials admitted that the attack was a “grave mistake” and cited various failures, including breakdowns in communication and violations of operating procedures. Despite calls for an independent investigation into the attack, World Central Kitchen decided to restart operations due to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that they would continue to focus on providing meals to as many people as possible.
The aid group had distributed over 43 million meals in Gaza and had trucks carrying the equivalent of nearly eight million meals waiting to enter the enclave through the Rafah crossing in the south. They also planned to send trucks through Jordan and open a kitchen in the village of Al-Mawasi, designated as a “humanitarian zone” by the Israeli military. Six of the workers killed in the April 1 attack were from Western nations, with the seventh being Palestinian. The workers were targeted in back-to-back drone strikes while traveling toward Rafah after unloading food aid that had arrived by sea, prompting World Central Kitchen to suspend its operations in Gaza immediately.
Prior to the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy, 200 aid workers, mostly Palestinians, had been killed in Gaza between October 7 and April 1, according to the United Nations. A New York Times investigation revealed that six aid groups in Gaza had come under Israeli fire despite sharing their locations with the military. The incident forced World Central Kitchen to make the difficult decision of either ending its efforts in Gaza or continuing despite the risks to aid workers and civilians. Ultimately, the organization chose to continue its mission of providing food to people during challenging times.
At a memorial in Washington for the aid workers killed in the attack, World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés expressed that there were many unanswered questions about the incident, and the aid group was still advocating for an independent investigation into the actions of the Israeli military. He praised the workers for risking everything to feed strangers in need and emphasized the importance of continuing their mission. Despite the tragedy, World Central Kitchen remained committed to providing aid in Gaza and ensuring that meals reach those who require assistance.
The Israeli military’s acknowledgment of failures in the attack on the Aid convoy highlights the need for improved communication and adherence to operating procedures to prevent such incidents in the future. As World Central Kitchen resumes its operations, the organization will work with local Palestinian aid workers to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide essential food aid to those in need. The decision to continue efforts in Gaza reflects the organization’s dedication to its mission of serving communities facing hardship despite challenging circumstances. Through continued support and distribution of meals, World Central Kitchen aims to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by conflict and insecurity in the region.
