The World Central Kitchen announced its intention to restart its operations in the Gaza Strip on Monday, after a hiatus of four weeks. This decision comes in the wake of Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, including one Canadian.
The organization had halted its food delivery efforts in the region following the attack on three of its vehicles, which were transporting food from a nearby warehouse. These vehicles were clearly identified as belonging to the World Central Kitchen, and their movements were known to the Israeli military when they were targeted.
Among the victims was Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old military veteran from Quebec, along with six of his colleagues. Israel acknowledged its responsibility for the incident and stated that the airstrikes were unintentional. Additionally, Israel has committed to making changes to its protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Despite the tragic loss, the World Central Kitchen remains committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, the organization emphasizes the importance of conducting an independent investigation into the deaths of its workers.
The decision to resume operations in Gaza underscores the ongoing dedication of the World Central Kitchen to providing aid to those in need, even in the face of adversity.