By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) - The deaths of seven members of World Central Kitchen in an Israeli strike this week in Gaza have triggered condemnation and calls for an investigation as Israel persists in its relentless attacks in the Palestinian enclave.
The international food charity, founded by Spanish-American celebrity chef José Andrés, said the team was traveling in two armored cars branded with the charity's logo and a soft-skin vehicle in a deconflicted zone.
"These are the heroes of World Central Kitchen. These 7 beautiful souls were killed by the IDF (Israeli military) in a strike as they were returning from a full day's mission. Their smiles, laughter and voices are forever embedded in our memories," said the charity's CEO, Erin Gore, in a statement.
The convoy, which the organization said was coordinating movements with the Israeli military, was struck as it was departing the Deir al-Balah warehouse in Gaza, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on a maritime route.
Andrés expressed sorrow over the deaths of his team in a post on X and urged the Israeli government to cease "indiscriminate killing" in Gaza. He demanded an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid, civilian casualties and the use of food as a weapon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attack that killed the seven aid workers was "a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip."
The UN said Tuesday that "at least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed since October” in the Gaza Strip following the recent killings of aid workers.
Several Western nations condemned the attack on the charity's team, with US President Joe Biden saying he is "outraged" and stressing that Israel "has not done enough to protect aid workers."
The bodies of the slain aid workers, who hailed from Australia, Poland, the UK and Palestine, and one of whom was a US-Canada dual citizen, are being repatriated to their respective countries.
Here are the identities of the seven workers who lost their lives.
1- Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha
He was a 25-year-old Palestinian worker from the city of Rafah.
2 - Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom
Zomi Frankcom, 43, an Australian, was a relief lead for the charity. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed Australia's anger and concern at the death of Zomi Frankcom and said the attack was "completely unacceptable."
3- Damian Sobol
Sobol, 35, was a Polish citizen. Przemysl Mayor Wojciech Bakun said on his Facebook account that Sobol was an industrialist and volunteer. "There are no words to describe the feelings of people who knew this amazing young man right now...May he rest in peace,” Bakun said.
4- Jacob Flickinger
Flickinger, 33, was an American-Canadian aid worker. His father, John, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the family of Jacob, who left his wife and baby boy behind. He had reportedly served as an infantryman in the Canadian Armed Forces.
5- John Chapman
Chapman, 57, was a British citizen and member of the charity's security team. Sky News reported that Chapman’s family is "devastated." His family said Chapman "died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother."
6- James "Jim" Henderson
Henderson, 33, was also a British citizen and a member of the charity's security team. A childhood friend of Henderson, a former Royal Marine from Cornwall, told British television station ITV that "being around Jim, you felt that nothing could go wrong."
7- James Kirby
Kirby, 47, was a British citizen who also served in the same role with Chapman and Henderson. Kirby's family said they are "utterly heartbroken by the loss of our beloved James."
Britain summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Office over the killings of the aid workers.