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Scene. Published by Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
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by PCHR
Nov 30, 2024

November 30, 2024 – Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) – The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli airstrike on a vehicle belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Khan Younis.

The incident claimed the lives of five Palestinians, including three WCK staff members. Following the incident, the WCK announced suspension of its operations in the Gaza Strip.

This is the second time IOF have targeted a WCK team. On 01 April 2024, a previous strike on a WCK vehicle in central Gaza claimed the lives of seven staff members, including six foreign nationals. That incident also forced the organization to pause its operations in Gaza.

PCHR is deeply concerned that such attacks are part of the IOF’s deliberate policy to enforce starvation and restrict the delivery of humanitarian aid and food supplies as well as hindering the international relief organizations’ work, thus perpetuating genocide against the Palestinian people.

According to PCHR field researchers, at approximately 07:50 on Saturday, 30 November 2024, an Israeli drone targeted a white jeep traveling north on Salah Al-Din Street near Al-Ibara Street in northern Khan Younis, killing three Palestinians inside the vehicle, all of whom were later identified as WCK staff.

As residents and farmers from the eastern area to the road rushed to the jeep trying to rescue or provide them aid, a second strike was launched, killing two of them and wounding others, one of them critically.

The victims of the WCK staff are Azem Jalal Mohammed Abu Daqa, 33, Mohammed Adel Mohammed Al-Namla, 28, and Ahad Azmi Mohammed Qdeih, 31.

While the other persons killed while trying to aid them are identified as Adel Hussein Ahmed Samour, 35, and Ibrahim Jamil Abdel Abu Lahiya, 31.

And eyewitness stated to PCHR’s field researcher that:

“I was driving on Salah Al-Din Street when I saw a white jeep traveling quickly north. It suddenly stopped about 40 meters ahead of me and I heard an explosion with smoke rising from the jeep, which had moved slightly from the blast. I rushed toward the jeep and was only 17 meters away from it when I heard someone inside calling for help. Just then, I heard the sound of another missile and threw myself to the ground as debris and stones rained down around me. After a few moments, I approached the jeep again, hearing more screams for help and people started flooding to rescue those alive inside the jeep and near it. I then saw five people lying near the jeep and 3 others inside: the driver with another person next to him on the front seat while in the middle of the backseat was a third person and all of them were wearing caps and vests bearing the WCK logo. I then noticed one of my relatives (39), a resident of the area where the incident occurred and who was among those who rushed to rescue. When he saw me, he called me out. He was bleeding from his left thigh and hand and was wailing from severe pain. I carried him to a Fiat car with another person injured and transported them to Nasser Medical Complex.”

In response to the incident, the World Central Kitchen issued a statement:

“We are heartbroken to share that a vehicle carrying colleagues from the World Central Kitchen was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, and that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the October 7th Hamas attack”

The incident and subsequent suspension of WCK operations come amidst a severe hunger crisis in southern Gaza.

The IOF’s restrictions on the delivery of aid and official coordination for goods have led to flour shortages and skyrocketing prices.

As flour ran out of markets and so far has not been distributed, massive crowds have gathered outside the few operational bakeries.

On Friday, 29 November 2024, a tragic incident occurred when a woman and two children suffocated to death due to thousands overcrowding at al-Bana bakery in Deir Al-Balah.

According to PCHR’s field research, the three victims were crushed in chaos in addition to others severely suffocated while trying to obtain bread at a bakery supported by the World Food Programme on ‘Akilah Street in Deir al-Balah.

The WCK’s suspension of operations will deprive thousands of families reliant on its food assistance, further exacerbating the hunger crisis.

PCHR emphasizes that the IOF deliberately obstructs adequate food supplies to Gaza. When limited amounts are allowed in, the Israeli authorities enable looters to steal and sell them at exorbitant prices.

Furthermore, when aid does reach storage facilities, IOF deny UNRWA from distributing it to reach those in need and even target it in strikes in addition to targeting international humanitarian workers, who try to meet the population’s food needs.

These actions reflect the occupation’s calculated use of starvation as a weapon of genocide.

PCHR holds that these heinous attacks persist due to Israel’s entrenched impunity and the double standards of the international community, which turn a blind eye to the occupation’s gravest crime—genocide.

PCHR calls on the international community to move beyond mere condemnations of Israeli military attacks that lead to the killing of humanitarian staff members and civilians as well as starving them and to take immediate and practical steps to compel Israel, as the occupying power, to impose a ceasefire.

Furthermore, PCHR demands accountability for the genocide being committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

PCHR urges the international community and all United Nations agencies to exert immediate and effective efforts to ensure the delivery of food, medicine, and clean drinking water to the population through mechanisms that guarantee their safety and dignity.

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