World Central Kitchen chief condemns Israeli commander over strike that killed seven aid workers

“We are humanitarians,” José Andrés said in response to an Israeli commander who defended the decision to strike a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza.

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We will never accept the death of humanitarian workers.

The April 1, 2024 attack killed seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom. The group had been travelling in three armoured vehicles marked with the organisation’s logo and coordinating its movements with the Israel Defense Forces while driving through an area declared a humanitarian fire control zone.

An Israeli drone fired three missiles at the convoy in succession, one at each vehicle, as survivors of the first strike tried to move between cars. Colonel Nochi Mendel, who ordered the attack, told ABC that he had not intended to harm aid workers but said, “I’m not sorry for what I did.”

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There was never an excuse for killing humanitarians.

Mendel later said he believed there were links between World Central Kitchen and Hamas, and described the organisation as not “really a neutral organisation.” World Central Kitchen called those allegations “false and outrageous.” Its chief said there was “never an excuse for killing” humanitarian workers, while a spokesperson accused the commander of trying to shift blame from the IDF.

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I’m not sorry for what I did.

Mendel was dismissed as chief of staff of the Israeli military’s Nahal infantry brigade. In findings released on Aug. 19, the IDF said it would not pursue a criminal investigation or take additional measures against anyone involved. The Frankcom family said it was deeply disappointed and joined World Central Kitchen in demanding an independent investigation, including the public release of video and audio evidence.

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We are humanitarians.