Two aid workers were killed on Saturday in Israeli air strikes on Gaza, intensifying concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in the conflict-ridden region.
The first victim was a member of World Central Kitchen, who was struck while in a vehicle in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The Israeli military claimed that the individual participated in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, specifically targeting Kibbutz Nir Oz, and stated that he was under surveillance. However, they did not provide evidence to support these allegations.
The family of the man, identified as Ahed Azmi Qdeih, vehemently denied the Israeli claims, stating that he was an engineer dedicated to charitable work. They accused Israel of making false allegations to justify what they termed his unlawful killing.
World Central Kitchen confirmed the air strike but expressed shock over the allegations. “We are heartbroken to share that a vehicle carrying World Central Kitchen colleagues was hit by an Israeli air strike in Gaza,” the organization said in a statement posted on X. “World Central Kitchen had no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the October 7th Hamas attack.” The charity announced it was pausing operations in Gaza and is urgently seeking more information.
On the same day, international aid agency Save the Children reported the death of a 39-year-old staff member, Ahmad Faisal Isleem Al-Qadi, also killed in an air strike in Khan Younis. It is unclear if both aid workers were killed in the same strike. “There are not strong enough words to express the grief and outrage we feel at the loss of Ahmad in an Israeli air strike. He was a valued member of our team and loved by all who met him,” said Inger Ashing, Save the Children’s chief executive, in a statement.
Medical officials reported that at least 32 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza overnight and into Saturday, including seven people in a house in central Gaza City. In another incident in Khan Younis, at least nine Palestinians were killed when an air strike hit a car near a crowd receiving flour. The vehicle was reportedly used by security personnel responsible for overseeing aid deliveries into Gaza.
The Israeli military maintains that it does not target civilians and accuses Hamas of operating within civilian areas and using the population as human shields, allegations that Hamas denies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
