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People stand next to the vehicle where World Central Kitchen (WCK) employees were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Bala, central Gaza Strip, on April 2, according to a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Yasser Qudihe/Middle East Images/AFP (via Getty)
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Yasser Qudihe/Middle East Images/AFP (via Getty)
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People stand next to the vehicle where World Central Kitchen (WCK) employees were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Bala, central Gaza Strip, on April 2, according to a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Yasser Qudihe/Middle East Images/AFP (via Getty)
Aid group World Central Kitchen said it was resuming operations in the Gaza Strip, less than a month after seven of its staff were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire,” CEO Erin Gore said on Sunday. “We are resuming operations with the same energy, dignity, and focus on feeding as many people as possible.” “he said.
Residents of Gaza Strip U.S. officials said earlier this month that parts of Gaza are already experiencing famine.
The April 1 airstrike on Gaza sparked international condemnation of the Israeli military, which later admitted it had “seriously violated” military operating procedures. Accordingly, World Central Kitchen, which distributes meals to disaster areas, also suspended operations on this day.
“To date, we have distributed over 43 million meals and are eager to provide millions more. Food is a universal right and our work in Gaza has been the most life-saving mission in the organization’s 14-year history. .” Gore said. name.
![What you need to know about a possible Israeli military attack in Rafah](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/04/24/gettyimages-2149373237_sq-dbaaca31ef3004258e39e927d5a56478224c81c3-s100.jpg)
Israel blocked food, fuel and medicine from Gaza in the early days of the war. International pressure has since allowed some aid, but aid groups say this is far from what is needed. Israel said it would not limit aid.
Gore said World Central Kitchen has 276 trucks, equivalent to nearly 8 million meals, ready to enter via the Rafah crossing with Egypt. The group also plans to transport trucks from Jordan and is exploring ways to transport food by sea through Israel's Ashdod port.
Gore said the group was finalizing construction of its third major kitchen near Mawasi in southern Gaza. The establishment will be called Damian's Kitchen in honor of one of the employees killed in the strike.
Those killed in the attack were Palestinian Saifeddin “Safi” Issam Ayad Abutaha; John Chapman of England; Jacob Flickinger in the United States and Canada; Australia's Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom; Englishmen James Henderson and James Kirby; and Poland's Damian Sobol.
![José Andrés mourns the murdered World Central Kitchen workers during a service at the National Cathedral.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/04/25/gettyimages-2149559820_sq-deb8c99d23b15f3fdda6e8fbe7776db4aa1fb133-s100.jpg)
The group was founded in 2010 by Chef Jose Andrés, who spoke Thursday at a memorial service for the seven workers at the Washington National Cathedral. “They risked everything to feed strangers and never met,” he said.
At least 224 humanitarian workers have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war that began in October, according to the United Nations Security Council. This is more than three times more than recorded in a single conflict in a year.
Israel apologized for the strike and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “deeply regrets the tragic incident.” The Israeli military said the airstrike violated military operating procedures and that senior military officers would be fired and reprimanded.
Gore said of the Israeli military: “Although we are not certain of the specifics, we continue to seek answers and advocate for change with the goal of better protection for WCK and all NGO workers who selflessly serve in the worst humanitarian situations. We are left with a fair and international investigation.”
![Led by humanitarian chefs, World Central Kitchen has been supplying food to crisis areas for years.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/04/02/ap22319625331778_sq-6ad14cc4520a69e5de657a0f44c51aec93f5ae4b-s100.jpg)
President Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Sunday. “We discussed increasing the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including preparing to open a new northern crossing starting this week,” the White House said. The President emphasized that this progress must be sustained and strengthened through full cooperation with humanitarian organizations.
According to the Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health, more than 34,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. About 1,200 people were killed in a Hamas-led attack in Israel on Oct. 7, and 133 hostages remain in Gaza, some of whom are presumed dead, Israeli officials said.
Becky Sullivan contributed reporting.