World Central Kitchen has announced its plans to resume aid operations in Gaza on Monday, after taking a pause following an Israeli airstrike that killed seven of their workers on April 1. The charity had been providing crucial food aid to the war-torn strip, where many displaced Gazans are on the brink of starvation.
The airstrike disrupted the flow of food into the region, prompting many organizations to withdraw their aid workers and call for an investigation into the civilian deaths. Israel Defense Forces took responsibility for the airstrike and stated they are looking into how it occurred. President Joe Biden also criticized Israel for not doing enough to protect civilians in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Despite these challenges, World Central Kitchen is returning to Gaza with renewed energy and focus on feeding as many people as possible. The charity has a fleet of nearly 300 trucks with meals ready to enter through the Rafah Crossing, with more supplies coming in from Jordan. They also plan to establish a new high-production kitchen in the region named “Damian’s Kitchen” in memory of one of their workers who was killed in the attack.
World Central Kitchen acknowledges that continuing their operations involves risks but believes that providing food during tough times is essential. The charity is committed to maintaining its mission of offering aid to those in need, even in the face of danger and adversity.