Hamas accuses Israel of killing foreign aid workers in Gaza

Tragedy struck in Gaza as at least five members of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) non-governmental organization, including foreign nationals, were reported killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office announced the casualties late on Monday, stating that the incident occurred in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah.

Among those killed were citizens of Poland, Australia, and Britain, along with one Palestinian, according to a spokesperson for the media office.

WCK, an organization focused on humanitarian food delivery efforts, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their team members, emphasizing that humanitarian aid workers should never be targeted.

Hamas, the Islamist group governing Gaza, condemned the attack, asserting that it aimed to intimidate workers of international humanitarian agencies and discourage them from carrying out their missions.

In response to the reports, the Israeli military stated that it was conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of the incident, which it termed a “tragic incident.”

The military highlighted its efforts to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and underscored its collaboration with WCK in providing food and aid to the people of Gaza.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

At a news conference, Albanese described the incident as a “human tragedy” that should never have happened, emphasizing the need to protect innocent civilians and humanitarian workers.

He reiterated calls for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and increased aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict.