After an airstrike by Israel in Gaza which claimed the lives of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including six foreign nationals, turmoil has arisen around the world.
Dignitaries around the world are demanding a clear statement from Israel over this matter, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes the Israeli air strike as “unintended” and “tragic”.
“These things happen in wartime,” he further said . He also added that officials are “checking this thoroughly” and “will do everything for this not to happen again”.
Know the heroes of World Central Kitchen
Given below are the short descriptions of the victims of this recent attack:
James Kirby
John Chapman aged 57, was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and was working for Solace Global among the charity’s security team. His family called him an “incredible father, husband, son and brother”. They also added that he “died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act. He was loved by many and will for ever be a hero. He will be missed dearly,”.John Chapman
John Chapman age 57, born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was also working for Solace Global among the charity’s security team. As per a statement released through the Foreign Office, his family terms him as an “incredible father, husband, son and brother”.
They added that he “died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act. He was loved by many and will for ever be a hero. He will be missed dearly,”.
James Henderson
James Henderson aged 33, was born in Truro, Cornwall, worked for Solace Global, and was also a part of the relief team’s security detail. He described himself as “a highly disciplined, courteous and proactive individual who is mobile, offers flexibility and is willing to take on any further training necessary to offer the best service possible” and also that he “takes the health and safety of others very seriously”.
Saif Issam Abu Taha
Saif Issam Abu Taha aged 25, had worked for World Central Kitchen as a driver and translator since the beginning of the year, his relatives said. He was “dedicated young man” eager to help fellow Palestinians as said by his brother. He also added that he was a successful businessman. He was buried in a ceremony attended by hundreds in his hometown of Rafah on Tuesday.
Zomi Frankcom
Zomi Frankcom aged 43, an Australian worker for the World Central Kitchen for the past five years. Her relatives described her as an “outstanding human being” who was “killed doing the work she loves delivering food to the people of Gaza”. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote: “She is someone who clearly was concerned about her fellow humanity.”
Damian Sobol
Damian Sobol aged 36, from the south-eastern Polish city of Przemyśl, was a student of hospitality. He had been on several aid missions in Ukraine, Morocco and Turkey. In 2022, he joined WCK. He had been working in Gaza for the past six months before he was killed in the air strike. Wojciech Bakun, the mayor of Przemyśl, took to Facebook and wrote, “There are no words to describe the feelings of people who knew this amazing young man right now.”Jacob Flickinger
Jacob Flickinger aged 33, a dual US-Canadian citizen, was working in Gaza since the start of March after volunteering for the NGO in Mexico, according to Agence France-Presse. The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, expressed his disappointment and had spoken to the Israeli ambassador, Iddo Moed, to state “our dismay at the unacceptable deaths of a Canadian American aid worker along with others … the world needs very clear answers as to how this happened”.What people around the globe are saying?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the killing of foreign aid workers, that included three British citizens, said he was “appalled”.
“Too many aid workers and innocent civilians have lost their lives in Gaza, the situation is becoming unbearable,” said Sunak.
He also added that, “The UK expects to see immediate action by Israel to end restrictions on humanitarian aid, deconflict with the UN and aid agencies, protect civilians, and repair vital infrastructure like hospitals and water networks.” The Political pressure on the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to halt arms exports to Israel has escalated after airstrike.
Jeremy Konyndyk, who also served as a US international development official in the Biden and Obama’s administrations, said Israeli strike on World Central Kitchen staff was a war crime and “part of a clear pattern.”
The CEO of WCK, Erin Gore has said, “These are the heroes of WCK. These 7 beautiful souls were killed by the IDF in a strike as they were returning from a full day’s mission. Their smiles, laughter, and voices are forever embedded in our memories.” The organization has also demanded independent probe into IDF strikes.
USA’s response
President Biden has also expressed his outrage on the strike as he said, “This conflict has been one of the worst in recent memory in terms of how many aid workers have been killed. This is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult — because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians.”
Comments 1