Food charity pauses Gaza work after staff killed in Israeli strike
World Central Kitchen (WCK) has announced it is halting its operations in Gaza following an Israeli airstrike that struck a vehicle carrying its staff members. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the vehicle targeted was connected to an individual involved in the 7 October attacks on Israel and employed by WCK.
WCK expressed its heartbreak over the incident, confirming it had no knowledge that any individuals in the vehicle were involved in the 7 October attacks, while it sought further details. According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, five people were killed in the strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, including three WCK employees, one of whom was the director of WCK’s kitchens in Gaza.
Additionally, British aid agency Save the Children confirmed the death of one of its staff members, Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi, in a separate strike in Khan Younis. He was killed while returning home from a mosque.
Photos on social media showed the aftermath of the WCK vehicle being struck, with images of a burned-out car and belongings, including a WCK ID badge. The IDF confirmed the airstrike targeted a vehicle carrying a person it identified as a terrorist involved in the October 7th attacks. The IDF demanded an investigation into WCK’s hiring practices related to the individual.
WCK stated it was pausing its work in Gaza as it worked to gather more information about the incident.
“Our hearts are with our colleagues and their families in this unimaginable moment,” it said.
In April, seven WCK workers, including three British security staff, were killed in an Israeli strike on an aid convoy, prompting widespread condemnation and a temporary halt to the charity’s operations.
The IDF later admitted “grave mistakes” had been made and sacked two senior officers.
