Ireland 'appalled' by Israeli killing of 7 aid workers in Gaza

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Ireland on Tuesday said it was "appalled" by the Israeli killing of seven aid workers of the World Central Kitchen in Gaza.

“Appalled by the deaths of humanitarian workers in an Israeli strike, killed providing lifesaving aid to the people of Gaza,” Irish Foreign and Defense Minister Micheal Martin said on X.

“Full accountability is needed. This again underlines the need for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and allow full humanitarian access,” he added.

Earlier Tuesday, the WCK, which feeds communities affected by conflict and disaster, confirmed that its members had been killed in an Israeli attack.

It said that despite coordinating movements with the Israeli army, the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza.

The victims included nationals of Australia, Poland, the UK and Palestine as well as a US-Canadian citizen.

Israel has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas, which claimed 1,200 lives.

World leaders have expressed horror and anger over the airstrike, and reiterated calls for an immediate cease-fire.

The US-based aid group said it was pausing operations in the region after the "targeted attack."​​​​​​​