World Central Kitchen (WCK) organized a Celebration of Life at the National Cathedral to honor the seven aid workers who were killed in Gaza while delivering food to those in need. The memorial service paid tribute to aid workers from various countries, including Palestine, Britain, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Poland, who risked their lives to feed strangers during a time of crisis.
During the event, WCK founder Chef José Andres spoke about the selflessness and bravery of the aid workers, highlighting how they embodied the best of humanity in their actions. He emphasized the importance of their example inspiring others to do better and to be better in the face of adversity.
Approximately 560 people attended the event, including WCK staff and families, senior U.S. government officials, diplomats from around the world, and leaders of American Jewish and Muslim groups. Acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed at the service, and a letter from President Joe Biden was read to honor the memory of the workers.
The workers were killed in a strike following the end of an Israeli raid on Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Aid volunteers in the region have been working tirelessly to support Palestinians facing food shortages due to Israeli blockades. The dangerous conditions in Gaza have made providing aid a risky endeavor, with around 200 aid workers losing their lives in the process.
The Israeli military has stated that they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident to understand what led to the tragic deaths of the aid workers. To learn more about the victims and their stories, visit the provided link.