World Central Kitchen has sent hundreds of tons of food back to Cyprus from Gaza after seven of its workers were killed while delivering aid, the humanitarian aid group confirmed Wednesday, amid growing concerns about safety among other organizations providing much-needed aid to the war-torn region.
The attack increased concerns among groups trying to provide humanitarian aid.
The food was scheduled to be delivered at a makeshift port constructed by WCK in northern Gaza, according to the New York Times.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said Wednesday that “humanitarian aid organizations are unable to carry out their work safely” in Gaza, where civilians have increasingly had “less access to aid” and medical assistance.
American Near East Refugee Aid announced Tuesday the aid group would suspend its humanitarian operations in Gaza following the death of the World Central Kitchen workers, noting it was the first time the group’s staff felt unsafe after six months of war between Israel and Hamas.
Cindy McCain, executive director for the United Nations’ World Food Programme, told CNN on Wednesday: “Attacks on aid workers are unacceptable and unconscionable,” adding, “All of Gaza is hungry, and humanitarians must be able to safely do our jobs.”
- That’s how many humanitarian aid workers with the U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees have been killed since Israel’s war with Hamas began in October, according to the agency.
The seven workers from World Central Kitchen were killed Monday in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an “unintended strike” that Israel “deeply regrets.” WCK said its convoy was hit by Israeli forces in a “deconflicted zone” while delivering more than 100 tons of food aid in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah, adding it had paused operations in the region. Celebrity chef José Andrés, WCK’s founder, said Israel “needs to stop this indiscriminate killing.” The attack prompted several world leaders to demand answers from Israel, whose military said the incident was under investigation.
The attack comes amid growing concerns about humanitarian aid in Gaza. According to a report by the World Food Programme last month, about 1.1 million people—half of Gaza’s population—have exhausted their food supplies and face starvation. The agency estimates at least 300 trucks of food supplies are needed daily to address Gaza’s basic food needs.
What We Know About The Seven Aid Workers Killed In Gaza (Forbes)