Israel’s killing of aid workers threatens much-needed food deliveries

AP:

Israeli airstrikes on aid workers delivering food in Gaza killed at least seven people – including a US-Canada dual citizen and citizens of Australia, Poland and the United Kingdom. It’s the latest Israeli military action to hit humanitarian efforts in the besieged Palestinian territory.

World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, immediately paused operations in the region, delivering a blow to the recently opened sea route for food aid. Ships carrying food sailed away from Gaza after arriving just a day earlier.

Israel says the strikes were an accident and that officials are investigating. The UN says at least 180 humanitarian workers have been killed in the war so far.

The US, which has provided key military and diplomatic support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, had hoped the sea route would allow more food to enter the territory. In northern Gaza, the United Nations says much of the population is on the brink of starvation. South Africa has accused Israel of acts of genocide in its war in Gaza and filed a case at the United Nations’ highest court – charges Israel strongly denies.

After nearly six months, Israel’s war in Gaza has killed nearly 33,000 Palestinians, the territory’s health ministry said. The war began on October 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage.