The World Central Kitchen plans to resume operations in the Gaza Strip Monday, four weeks after Israeli airstrikes killed seven of its aid workers, including one Canadian. Palestinians inspect a vehicle with the logo of the World Central Kitchen wrecked by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, April 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS
In Ottawa, the World Central Kitchen (WCK) has announced its intention to resume its humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip on Monday, marking a return after a hiatus of four weeks. This decision follows a tragic incident where seven aid workers, including a Canadian national, lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes.
The organization had temporarily halted its food delivery services in the region following the attack on three WCK vehicles transporting food supplies from a nearby storage facility. According to the aid group, these vehicles were clearly identifiable as humanitarian aid vehicles, and their movements were known to the Israeli military at the time of the airstrikes.
Among those who tragically perished was Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old military veteran hailing from Quebec, along with six of his colleagues. Israel has acknowledged responsibility for the incident, asserting that the airstrikes were unintentional. Additionally, Israeli authorities have committed to revising their operational protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Despite the assurances from Israeli officials, the WCK emphasizes the need for an impartial investigation into the deaths of its personnel. The organization aims to resume its efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones.
