World Central Kitchen is set to resume operations in the Gaza Strip following an Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of seven of its workers earlier this month. The non-profit organization, founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, made this announcement on Sunday. Initially, they had paused operations in Gaza after the strike on April 1. WCK CEO Erin Gore emphasized the organization’s commitment to continuing to provide food aid in Gaza, including northern Gaza, to help alleviate the dire humanitarian situation.
Gore stated that WCK would restart its operations with the same dedication and focus on feeding as many people as possible. The organization has distributed over 43 million meals so far and aims to provide millions more. They have 276 trucks ready to deliver approximately 8 million meals through the Rafah crossing and are exploring additional delivery options through Jordan and the Ashdod Port. Israel has apologized for the attack and WCK acknowledges that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have made changes to their operation protocols.
Following the attack, WCK called for an independent investigation into the incident. Gore mentioned that while there have been some important steps taken, systemic changes are necessary to better protect aid workers and NGOs operating in challenging conditions. WCK continues to advocate for a fair and international investigation. Although a specific date for the resumption of operations was not provided, Gore assured that WCK will return soon to continue providing crucial assistance in Gaza.