World Central Kitchen, a food aid nonprofit founded by renowned chef José Andrés, has suspended operations in Gaza after an apparent Israeli airstrike killed seven of its aid workers.
The IDF did not take responsibility for the deaths but spokesperson, RAdm. Daniel Hagari says he spoke to Andrés and offered the military's "deepest condolences" for their losses.
The group suspended delivery of food aid to Gaza on Tuesday in the wake of the attack, the Associated Press reported.
The IDF said the incident would be investigated.
IDF spokesperson, RAdm. Daniel Hagari, spoke with @WCKitchen founder, @chefjoseandres, and expressed the IDF's deepest condolences to the entire World Central Kitchen family.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 2, 2024
The work of WCK is critical. pic.twitter.com/nRUYZVxif3
The charity said the team was traveling in a three-car convoy that included two armored vehicles, and its movements had been coordinated with the Israeli army.
Images from the scene showed an SUV with World Central Kitchen logos with a large hole in the roof from the apparent missile strike. Another vehicle showed extensive damage including the windshield missing.
Andrés blamed the IDF for the attack in an X post.
He said: " I am heartbroken and grieving for their families and friends and our whole WCK family. These are people...angels...I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia. They are not faceless...they are not nameless. The Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing."
Today @WCKitchen lost several of our sisters and brothers in an IDF air strike in Gaza. I am heartbroken and grieving for their families and friends and our whole WCK family. These are people…angels…I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia. They… https://t.co/rM3xbsiQ1Q
— Chef José Andrés 🕊️🥘🍳 (@chefjoseandres) April 1, 2024
Hagari said officials have been "reviewing the incident at the highest levels." He says an independent investigation will be launched that "will help us reduce the risk of such an event from occurring again."
Andrés established World Central Kitchen in 2010 and it operates in areas affected by natural disasters and conflicts.
He frequently leverages his fame to bring attention to humanitarian crises, such as those in Ukraine and Haiti.
The organization has been actively engaged in Gaza relief efforts since Israel started operations to eliminate Hamas after the Oct. 7 attacks.
WCK played a significant role in the transportation of 200 tons of food and water to the enclave.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the U.S. was "heartbroken and deeply troubled" by the strike in a statement on X.
We are heartbroken and deeply troubled by the strike that that killed @WCKitchen aid workers in Gaza. Humanitarian aid workers must be protected as they deliver aid that is desperately needed, and we urge Israel to swiftly investigate what happened.
— Adrienne Watson (@NSC_Spox) April 2, 2024
