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Israeli Drone Strikes Kill Seven World Central Kitchen Aid Workers in Gaza

Seven international aid workers from World Central Kitchen were killed during three Israeli drone strikes on April 1, 2024. The victims included John Chapman, James Kirby, James Henderson, Lalzawmi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, and Jacob Flickinger. The strikes occurred as the convoy moved toward Rafah after unloading a large shipment of food on the Gaza coast. The Israeli military, specifically the Nahal Brigade, identified the workers as targets based on the practice of "incrimination," where they were assumed to be mingling with armed Hamas members. Reserve Colonel Nochi Mendel, who oversaw the strikes, stated the workers were not innocent because they were connected to Hamas. However, the Australian government and World Central Kitchen reported that the mission details had been coordinated with the Israeli military, and the organization had assured the military that the convoy had not been hijacked. The Israeli military prosecutor declined to press criminal charges, citing a lack of reasonable suspicion of misconduct. World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés criticized the decision, calling the strikes a grave mistake and demanding an independent investigation with full disclosure of evidence.

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