World Central Kitchen to resume humanitarian work in Gaza

In a statement released by CEO Erin Gore, the WCK emphasized the ongoing dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed its commitment to providing aid. Despite the challenges and threats faced by aid workers in the area, the organization expressed determination to continue its mission of feeding as many people as possible.

According to a news release on the group’s website, operations are set to resume on Monday, with a Palestinian-led team taking charge of distributing aid and food from the organization’s three kitchens in Gaza. The statement underscored the importance of ensuring access to food for all residents of Gaza, even amidst ongoing security concerns.

Gore highlighted the ongoing risks faced by aid workers in Gaza, which led to the decision to entrust the distribution of aid to local Palestinians for the time being. The organization faced a difficult choice between halting operations entirely or continuing to provide aid despite the threats and intimidation faced by its personnel.

The resumption of humanitarian efforts comes at a critical time, as UN human rights experts warn of widespread hunger and food insecurity affecting the entire population of Gaza. The need for sufficient aid delivery to address the looming threat of starvation is urgent and paramount.

The decision to halt operations was made in the wake of Israeli airstrikes that claimed the lives of seven WCK workers, prompting several humanitarian organizations to reassess the safety of their personnel in Gaza. The indiscriminate nature of these attacks has raised concerns about the safety of aid workers and civilians alike.

In response to the incident, the United Nations reported a significant toll on humanitarian aid workers, with over 180 individuals killed since the onset of Israeli aggression in Gaza. The Israeli military has acknowledged its responsibility for the attack, drawing condemnation from Western countries and calls for an immediate investigation.

The WCK asserted that its team was operating in a designated safe zone, with vehicles clearly marked with the organization's logo. Despite this, the vehicles were targeted after loading food from a nearby warehouse, raising questions about the safety and protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. (ILKHA)