GoFundMe campaign started for family of American aid worker killed by Israeli airstrike in Gaza

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - A GoFundMe campaign has been started to benefit the family of Jacob Flickinger, an American-Canadian aid worker who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza earlier this week.

The World Central Kitchen food charity founded by Spanish-American celebrity chef José Andrés, said late Monday that Flickinger, 33, and six other members of its team were killed.

The campaign, launched early Wednesday, has raised more than $20,000 out of its $100,000 goal.

"Jacob had been volunteering in Gaza since early March helping distribute food to Palestinians," wrote the organizers, including his father, John Flickinger.

Jacob left a partner and a baby boy behind.

"This GoFundMe aims to raise money to help his family reestablish themselves after his tragic death. As the sole financial provider, Jacob’s family will use these funds to sustain themselves temporarily, setting up a trust for his baby boy, and helping with any flights and funeral arrangements," they said.

The elder Flickinger appealed for help on Facebook.

"My son, Jacob, was killed Monday delivering food aid to starving families in Gaza. He died doing what he loved and serving others through his work with the World Central Kitchen. He is survived by his partner and infant son. Please help them if you can as we navigate thru this heart breaking tragedy," he wrote.

The US State Department said Wednesday it wants to see an Israeli investigation into the killings finished as quickly as possible.

The other workers were nationals of Australia, Poland, the UK and Palestine.

Despite coordinating movements with the Israeli army, the humanitarian organization said the convoy was hit as it was leaving a warehouse in the southern Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on a maritime route.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as “tragic,” and said it was “unintentional” and pledged an independent inquiry.