By Blessing Chinagorom
The World Central Kitchen (WCK) has said that an independent investigation is the only way to determine the truth of the killing of its staff in Gaza, adding that this will ensure transparency and accountability for those responsible, and prevent future attacks on humanitarian aid workers.
In a statement signed by the CEO, Erin Gore and the Executive Co-Chair/Treasurer, Javier Garcia on Thursday, stating that this was a military attack that involved multiple strikes and targeted three WCK vehicles.
Recalled on April 1, 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces had air struck seven humanitarian aid workers employed by World Central Kitchen (WCK), an internationally recognized humanitarian organization.
While the aid workers killed were nationals of Australia, Canada/US (dual citizen), Gaza, Poland, and the United Kingdom. It was said that Israel admitted to the killings but called it tragic event which it forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants and something that “happens in war.”
The humanitarian organization said this attack involved multiple strikes and was targeted at the three vehicles who were carrying civilians; despite marked as WCK vehicles; and their movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route, and humanitarian mission.
WCK asked the governments of Australia, Canada, the United States, Poland, and the United Kingdom to join them in demanding an independent, third-party investigation into these attacks, including whether they were carried out intentionally or otherwise violated international law.
It said, “Yesterday, to ensure the integrity of the investigation, we asked the Israeli government to immediately preserve all documents, communications, video and/or audio recordings, and any other materials potentially relevant to the April 1 strikes”.
The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin in his reaction to the killing, stressed the need to immediately take concrete steps to protect aid workers and Palestinian civilians in Gaza after the repeated coordination failures with foreign aid groups.
The Secretary who was outraged over the killing of the aid workers which includes an American national, spoke with Israeli Minister Gallant, urging him to conduct swift and transparent investigation, to share their conclusions publicly, and to hold those responsible to account.
Secretary Austin stated that this tragedy reinforced the expressed concern over a potential Israeli military operation in Rafah, specifically focusing on the need to ensure the evacuation of Palestinian civilians and the flow of humanitarian aid.
He expressed his admiration for World Central Kitchen and its dedicated staff, saying World Central Kitchen delivered millions of meals to Israelis displaced by the Hamas attack on October 7 and pioneered the delivery of food to Gaza by land, air, and sea—now totaling over 40 million meals to Gazans in need.
Secretary Austin stressed to Minister Gallant that this tragedy makes it more difficult to flood the zone with humanitarian assistance, as Israeli officials have stated they seek to do. While raised the need to see increase of aid coming through all crossings in coming days, particularly to communities in northern Gaza that are at risk of famine.