A recent report from Bellingcat suggests that Israeli military forces may have intentionally struck and destroyed a convoy of foreign aid workers in Gaza. The incident occurred late Monday night, resulting in the deaths of seven workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit organization founded by Spanish chef José Andrés.

Victims Identified

The victims include three members of a WCK relief team and three members of its security team. Among them were Lalzawmi (Zomi) Frankcom from Australia, Damian Sobol from Poland, and Jacob Flickinger from the U.S. and Canada. The security team members were John Chapman, James (Jim) Henderson, and James Kirby, all from the United Kingdom. Additionally, the team’s Palestinian driver, Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, lost his life in the attack.

Coordination with Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)

WCK stated that they had been coordinating the convoy’s movements with the IDF. The convoy had just unloaded 100 tons of humanitarian food aid at the WCK warehouse in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, and was leaving when the strike occurred. The convoy, consisting of armored trucks displaying the non-profit’s logo, was targeted shortly after departure.

Precision Strike Analysis

According to Nick Waters, an ex-British army officer and open-source analyst, the damage sustained by the vehicles indicates they were struck by precision munitions. Waters suggests that the type of damage observed would require a low-yield munition capable of tracking its target in real-time. While the targeting software might have failed to detect the WCK logo, leading to the error in targeting, the strike appears deliberate.

Calls for Investigation and Action

In response to the incident, both the IDF and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have pledged to investigate thoroughly. However, critics argue that such incidents highlight a broader issue of indiscriminate killing and restrictions on humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Andrés Condemns the Attack

José Andrés, the founder of WCK, condemned the attack, accusing Israel of deliberately starving the population in Gaza. He called for immediate action to open more land routes for food and medicine and to cease targeting civilians and aid workers.

Conclusion: Urgent Need for Action

The strike on the WCK convoy underscores the urgent need for international scrutiny and action to prevent further loss of life and ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. As investigations unfold, it remains critical for all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and aid workers in conflict zones.

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