2024-04-02 18:06:00
At least seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza. This is what we know so far
A Palestinian inspects near a vehicle where World Central Kitchen (WCK) employees, including foreigners, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 2 in central Gaza. (Ahmed Zakot/Reuters)
At least seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike while delivering food to civilians in Gaza, according to the nonprofit group World Central Kitchen (WCK) and authorities in the besieged enclave.
Details regarding the dead are still emerging, but here’s what we know so far:
The victims: Among the dead were a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, as well as people from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom and a Palestinian, the group said.
“I am heartbroken and shocked that we, World Central Kitchen and the world, lost beautiful lives today due to a targeted attack by the IDF,” World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore said in the statement.
Saif Issam Abu-Taha, a Palestinian driver and translator who works with WCK, was named as one of the victims at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese identified the Australian victim as Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom. “This is someone who volunteered in Australia to help people during the bushfires. This is someone who volunteered overseas to provide help through this charity to people suffering enormous deprivation in Gaza,” Albanese said.
What Israel says: The Israeli military is investigating the deadly attack on WCK aid workers “at the highest levels,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also said he had spoken with WCK founder Chef José Andrés. and “expressed the Israel Defense Forces’ deepest condolences to the families and the entire World Central Kitchen family.”
International response:
The White House says it is “heartbroken and deeply concerned” regarding the attack and urges Israel to investigate the incident, a National Security Council spokesperson says.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he had “personally” asked Israel’s ambassador to Poland, Yacov Livne, for “urgent explanations.”
The United Kingdom says it is “urgently seeking more information” regarding the death of a British aid worker killed in Gaza, its Foreign Office said on Tuesday.
Australia has been in contact with Israel, the country’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, adding that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has “requested a call from Israel’s ambassador to Australia” to “ask for accountability.”
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