Who are the World Central Kitchen workers killed by Israeli strike?

On Monday, an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) relief workers, prompting sharp criticism of Israel’s continued airstrikes and mourning from friends, family, and the international community.

The organization said the workers had left a warehouse in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and were driving through a “free conflict zone” in two armored vehicles when the strike broke out. WCK, founded by celebrity chef Jose Andrés, is working in Gaza to deliver hundreds of tons of food to civilians in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility for the “unintentional” airstrike, calling it a “tragic event” but also saying such things happen in war.

WCK released the employee’s name on Tuesday after Prime Minister Andres recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel kill him. Mr. Andres called on the Israeli government to stop the “indiscriminate killings” and said “no more innocent lives” should be lost.

Andres said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday that Israel was systematically targeting aid workers “car by car.” He said it was not an “unfortunate situation” where the IDF accidentally “dropped a bomb in the wrong place.”

“No democracy or military can target civilians or humanitarians,” he said.

On Tuesday, Biden called Andres to offer his condolences.biden issued a statement He said Tuesday he was “outraged” by the news of Flickinger and other employees’ deaths.

Here’s what we know about those killed:

Jacob Flickinger

Jacob Flickinger was 33 years old and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 10 years and was deployed to Afghanistan, the Associated Press reported.

In a post on WCK, the group said Flickinger was among the four members of the rescue team who died.

His mother, Sylvie Labrecque, told The Associated Press that losing her son was an “extreme loss” but that she was “not surprised” because her son was heavily invested in “this type of work.” he said.

“There were times when I thought his life was likely to be short,” she said. “He was kind of wild. He was very intense, but he was also very smart.”

A GoFundMe page raising money to support Flickinger’s family says he has a 22-year-old girlfriend and a 1-year-old son in Costa Rica.

washington post report Flickinger said he told Labrecque’s estranged father to tell him he was heading to Cyprus instead of Gaza on a mission because he didn’t want his mother to worry.

His mother believes the aid team was deliberately targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Flickinger’s death is the first American killed in Gaza by the IDF since the war began on October 7.

Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abu Taha

Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha was 25 years old and a Palestinian citizen. According to the Associated Press, his relatives said he had been working as a driver and interpreter at WCK since the beginning of this year.

His brothers said he was a dedicated young man who was passionate about helping his fellow Palestinians in the conflict. His brother said he would have liked to get married if there had been no war.

He was a successful businessman who traded with countries including Ukraine, Egypt and China, and his work made him well known to Israelis, his brother said. The last time they spoke, Mr. Saifeddin was excited to be heading home soon, as his mission was nearly complete.

After the airstrike, a stranger picked up Saifeddin’s ringing phone and told his brother: “Everyone inside was killed.” Saifeddin was part of WCK’s relief team.

Damien Sobol

Damian Sobol was a 35-year-old Polish national. He was both a manager and a member of the relief team, and was known for being cheerful, friendly and resourceful, and quickly rose through the ranks at WCK.

Sobol is from Przemysl, a city in southeastern Poland, and studied hospitality. He has previously served in Ukraine, Morocco and Turkey, and spent his last six months in Gaza.

Marta Wilczynska of the Free Place Foundation, which works with WCK, said she met Sobol on the Polish side of the border with Ukraine, days after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. He spoke English well and was an interpreter who was described as a “genius.” He is truly an extraordinary man who can overcome “all difficulties”.

The Przemysl community plans to hold a local memorial service for Sobol on April 4th. The mass and memorial service are “open to the public” and “everyone is welcome to attend and pay their respects to Damian,” WCK said. he said in an online post.

Larzaumi ‘Zomi’ Francome

Lalzaumi “Zomi” Francome is a 43-year-old Australian national who was part of the WCK relief team.

She worked for WCK, which is based in Washington, D.C., and has traveled to the United States, Thailand, and her native Australia. Her friends and family remembered her as a brave and selfless woman.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “We remember this remarkable Australian who had a record of helping his fellow countrymen, whether it was overseas or through the support he provided during the bushfires.” . It happened during the Black Summer. ”

In a statement reported by the Associated Press, Francome’s relatives said she was an “outstanding human being” and “was killed doing the job she loved, delivering food to the people of Gaza.”

Frankcom was born in Melbourne and completed his undergraduate degree at Swinburne University of Technology. Her social media pages featured photos of her travels and aid work in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania, and Haiti.

Her friends described her as “larger than life.” “He believed in working many hours, giving his all, and helping those less fortunate,” Francome said.

in Post to XAndres, who was previously active on Twitter, said Francome “was always a brave soul.” He said Francome’s spirit “is always with us” and “always nourishes people with love and kindness.”

“You made invisible people feel seen…heard…I’m sorry, my friend…I wish I never met you…founding @WCKKitchen I wish it hadn’t happened… You would still be alive somewhere today, smiling and making someone else’ It feels like somewhere they were the most loved people in the world… I’ve always felt that way about you,” Andres wrote.

John Chapman

John Chapman was a 57-year-old British national. He was part of his WCK security team.

Mr Chapman was a veteran of the Royal Marines and his family said in a statement that they were devastated by his loss.

“He died trying to help others and was subjected to inhumane treatment,” his family said in a statement. “He was a wonderful father, husband, son and brother.”

His family requested that he be given space and time to “grieve properly.”

“He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. He will be sorely missed,” the statement said. Sky News reported.

james henderson

James Henderson, known as Jim, was a 33-year-old former Royal Marine from Cornwall in south-east England. Sky News reported that Mr Henderson was scheduled to leave Gaza on the same Monday that he was killed.

Henderson was part of the WCK security team along with Chapman.

james kirby

James Kirby, 47, from Bristol in southwest England, served in the British Army before moving into private security, working as a private security guard for players at the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Kirby’s cousin, Amy Roxburgh-Barry, said he was an “all-around gentleman” who had planned to take his mother and aunt on a surprise holiday after returning from Gaza.

“It’s really shocking that he fought in these wars and came back unscathed and then he went out to do something useful and something like that happens,” she told Sky News. .

The Associated Press contributed.