Gaza City, Gaza Strip – World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit organization, has identified the seven aid workers who lost their lives in an Israeli military strike in Gaza. The CEO of WCK, Erin Gore, praised the workers as heroes and described them as “beautiful souls” in a statement. The workers, including a US-Canada dual national, a Palestinian, three Brits, an Australian, and a Pole, were killed when an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strike targeted a WCK convoy.
The IDF acknowledged the incident, labeling it a “grave mistake,” and stated that they did not intend to harm the aid workers. Amid growing international condemnation, the families and colleagues of the deceased workers mourned their loss. The Brits killed in the attack were identified as John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby, all members of WCK’s security team.
James Kirby, a military veteran, had served in the British armed forces in Afghanistan and Bosnia. Families and officials expressed sorrow over the tragedy, with Kirby’s cousin expressing disappointment in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response. Additionally, Polish authorities confirmed the death of Damian Sobol, a Polish national from Przemysl, in the attack.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, hailed Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom for her humanitarian work, citing her dedication during Australia’s bushfires and her commitment to aiding those in need in Gaza. WCK, founded by chef José Andrés in 2010, has been at the forefront of providing food aid in war-torn areas and regions recovering from natural disasters, including Gaza since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began.
The organization has called for an independent investigation into the strikes that claimed the lives of their workers and urged governments to support their demands. Despite the challenges, WCK remains dedicated to its mission of providing aid to those in need. The tragic incident has led to a pause in WCK’s operations in Gaza as investigations and mourning continue. The impact of the loss of these dedicated aid workers reverberates globally, highlighting the risks faced by those providing essential humanitarian assistance in conflict zones.