NICOSIA: A US-based aid organization, World Central Kitchen or WCK has announced to resume its operations in Gaza on Monday, a month after seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli air strike.
Before halting its operations, WCK had distributed more than 43 million meals in the war-hit Gaza since October 7.
The charity said it had 276 trucks with a capacity of almost 8 million meals ready to enter through the Rafah Crossing and will also dispatch trucks into Gaza from neighboring Jordan.
The charity’s chief executive officer Erin Gore termed the humanitarian situation in Gaza as dire.
She said the charity is restarting its operation with the same dignity and energy, with a focus on feeding as many people as possible.
The April 1 killings sparked widespread condemnation and Israel’s closest allies including the US sought an explanation for the act.
Israel said its investigation had found serious errors and breaches of normal procedure by its military, sacking two senior officers and reprimanding senior commanders.
WCK demands an independent probe
World Central Kitchen despite the actions by Israel has been demanding an independent inquiry into the tragic incident.
According to the Gaza health ministry, Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed more than 34,000 people, including women and children since October 7. Palestinian health authorities say the Israeli military offensive has caused a humanitarian disaster for Gaza’s more than 2 million inhabitants.
Erin Gore said the organization has been forced to take such a decision because of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza knowing the fact the aid workers and civilians are being intimidated and killed.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has reiterated calls for the US intervention to prevent a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah, warning of dire consequences for the Palestinian people.
Israel’s announcement to attack Rafah has sparked global concern, particularly due to the presence of civilians seeking refuge in the area.
