NGO volunteers killed in Gaza: What is World Central Kitchen and what is its mission?

Israel is again under intense criticism after its military forces destroyed aid vehicles carrying seven international workers. Administering food and aid for the World Central Kitchen (WCK), an organisation committed to providing crucial food during periods of war and disaster, the three-car convoy was struck by multiple missiles while travelling through Gaza. Israel claims the missiles were “unintentional.”

WCK was formed in 2010 by Spaniard José Andrés in response to the earthquake in Haiti. It has since grown to operate in 45 countries around the world. In its stated objectives, the organisation says it is “first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.”

Andrés described the killings as an “unforgiveable attack.” Amongst other aid organisations, the WCK says it is suspending operations after the killings. The US government has said Gaza is already in a state of famine, affecting more than 2 million people.

The attacks have been condemned with strong words from the nations of the aid workers killed, but as of yet there have been no moves to punish Israel for any of its actions in Gaza. Just this week senior British lawmker Alicia Kearns admitted lawyers have told the British goverment that Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza. Amongst many others, the NATO-member is still selling weapons to a country that is “plausibly committing genocide” according to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Despite coordinating movements with the IDF (Israeli military), the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route,” the charity said in a statement.

Why did the Israeli army destroy an aid vehicle?

The killing of aid workers is unfortunately not unusual in the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Jamie McGoldrick, interim UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, noted that Gaza is currently, “one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places to work.” At least 196 aid workers have been killed since the start of the war, despite groups like the WCK giving their locations to the Israeli army to prevent attacks.

Another group that has been relentlessly targeted since the October invasion is journalists. The Comittee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) notes at least 95 journalists and media workers are amongst the total 33,000 killed in Gaza. In comparison, at least 67 journalists were killed across the whole world in 2022.

Both of these death figures are far higher compared to other conflicts as the Israeli military ruthlessly targets whatever it chooses. Former soldiers speaking to Israeli newspaper of note Haaretz tell of “killzones” in Gaza where anyone in certain locations are killed, regardless of them being genuine targets or not.

Just this week the Israeli military assassinated numerous Iranian officials in the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. The precision targeting of this strike is at odds with the conduct of the invasion of Gaza, which has seen half of the buildings in the Palestinian region completely destroyed as of the end of January. This indiscriminate bombing is a key factor in the already noted genocide investigations launched by members of the international community, spearheaded by South Africa.