Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Reportedly Claims Lives of World Central Kitchen Aid Workers

GAZA — Violence continues unabated in the Gaza Strip despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. An Israeli airstrike on Saturday targeted a vehicle in Gaza, killing five individuals, including three employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), according to a senior Palestinian health official.

This attack follows a previous incident in April when an Israeli strike on a WCK aid convoy resulted in the deaths of seven workers, prompting international condemnation and a brief suspension of aid efforts in the region. The Israeli military contends that the recent airstrike was aimed at a militant involved in the attack that triggered the ongoing conflict.

International watchdogs and aid organizations have labeled the situation in Gaza as a dire humanitarian crisis, with many residents displaced and facing severe food shortages. WCK has been active in providing meals to those affected by the war, yet the recent violence brings further danger to their operations. The organization was unavailable for comment regarding the latest airstrike.

Palestinian health official Muneer Alboursh confirmed the fatalities, while an anonymous aid worker elaborated on the identities of the deceased. Witnesses at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis displayed personal items belonging to the victims, emphasizing the tragedy of the events.

Local resident Nazmi Ahmed lamented the loss of his nephew, who had been employed by WCK for a year. He described the airstrike as unprovoked and shocking, attributing no justification for the attack.

Since the onset of hostilities instigated by Hamas’s attack in October 2023, Israeli military operations have led to over 44,000 Palestinian deaths according to local health sources. These figures highlight the asymmetrical toll of the conflict, with substantial civilian casualties reported.

Efforts at brokering a lasting ceasefire have repeatedly faltered. A recent agreement brokered by the U.S. and France aimed at calming tensions in Lebanon appears to be tenuously holding, yet claims of ceasefire violations have emerged from both sides. On the same day as the airstrike in Gaza, Israeli forces targeted alleged Hezbollah weapons trafficking sites near the Syrian border.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, displaced civilians in Lebanon are gradually returning home, despite cautions from military authorities regarding ongoing dangers. Reports indicate additional Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, including an incident that injured three local residents.

The situation remains fluid as regional violence escalates. Israel maintains it reserves the right to conduct operations against perceived threats even amid a ceasefire, a stance that continues to raise tensions. The conflict, raging since October, has drawn attention to the complex dynamics at play in the region and the extensive humanitarian impact faced by ordinary citizens.

Contributions to this article were made by reporters in Tel Aviv and Beirut, with additional coverage from the Gaza Strip.