Hommam Al Nassim 
“World Central Kitchen” says an Israeli airstrike killed 7 of its employees in the Gaza Strip, despite prior coordination with the Israeli military.
The organization announced the temporary suspension of its activities in the region, pending decisions on future operations.
According to the organization, the victims belonged to several nationalities, including Australia, Poland, Britain, the United States and Canada, as well as a Palestinian.
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrian Watson expressed grave concern about the air attack that killed aid workers in Gaza and called on Israeli authorities to conduct a swift investigation into the incident.
The Australian Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the death of Australian citizen Zomi Frankom and called on the Israeli ambassador to fully investigate the incident, and Poland expressed its condolences to the family of a Polish volunteer killed in the raid, and its objection to ignoring international law and protecting civilians and aid workers.
The organization confirmed that the team was using two armoured vehicles bearing the organization’s logo, and were moving away from conflict areas, adding that the attack occurred while the team was leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah city, where they were unloading food aid.
The founder of “World Central Kitchen”, chef Jose Andrez, called on the Israeli government to stop indiscriminate military operations and stop using food as a weapon, expressing sadness at the loss of innocent lives, and expressing hope that peace begins with a common humanity.
For its part, the Israeli military said, in a statement, that it is “conducting a comprehensive review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident,” adding that it is “working closely with “World Central Kitchen” in its vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
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