World Central Kitchen is set to resume its aid operations in Gaza on Monday, after a pause due to an Israeli airstrike that killed seven of its workers on April 1. The pause disrupted the vital flow of food into the war-torn strip, where many displaced Gazans were on the brink of starvation. Prior to the airstrike, World Central Kitchen had distributed over 43 million meals in Gaza.
Following the attack, many organizations withdrew their aid workers from the area and called for an investigation into civilian deaths. Israel Defense Forces took responsibility for the airstrike and stated they are investigating how it occurred. President Joe Biden condemned Israel for not doing enough to protect civilians in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Despite the challenges, World Central Kitchen has decided to return to Gaza with renewed energy and focus on feeding as many people as possible. The charity has a fleet of nearly 300 trucks with meals ready to enter through the Rafah Crossing, with more supplies coming in from Jordan. They also plan to establish a new high-production kitchen in the region named “Damian’s Kitchen” in memory of one of their workers who was killed in the attack.
World Central Kitchen acknowledges the risks involved in continuing their operations but believes that providing food during tough times is essential. They are committed to maintaining their mission of offering aid to those in need, even in the face of danger and adversity.