ALBAWABA - Almost a month after the killing of seven World Central Kitchen in an Israeli airstrike on their aid convoy in Deir al-Balah, the WCK announced that it will be resuming operations in the enclave on Monday.
"The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We are restarting our operation with the same energy, dignity, and focus on feeding as many people as possible," the US-based charity said in an official statement.
Prior to halting operations in Gaza, WCK has provided over 43 million meals in the enclave since October, accounting for 62% of all international NGO aid distributed.
According to the organization, 276 trucks with the equivalent of over 8 million meals are ready to enter Gaza through the Rafah Crossing, and trucks will also be sent in from Jordan.
The WCK said that despite the Israeli "apology" for the attack that claimed innocent lives that were on the ground providing help for civilians, the demand for an "impartial and international investigation remains".
Earlier this month, WCK called for an independent investigation into the killing of seven of its workers in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
"An independent investigation is the only way to determine the truth of what happened, ensure transparency and accountability for those responsible, and prevent future attacks on humanitarian aid workers," the WCK said in a statement.
Commenting on the resumption of the operations in the enclave, World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore stated: "We have been forced to make a decision: Stop feeding altogether during one of the worst hunger crises ever...Or keep feeding knowing that aid, aid workers and civilians are being intimidated and killed,".
"These are the hardest conversations, and we have to consider all perspectives when deliberating. Ultimately, we decided we must keep feeding, continuing our mission of showing up to provide food to people during the toughest of times" he continued.
Following the attack, Gore called the attack unforgivable. "This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war,".
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 34,454+ people, with more than 77,575+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
