Chef Jose Andres Accuses Israel of Systematically Targeting Aid Workers in Gaza: 'Car by Car'

Chef Jose Andres accused Israel of deliberately targeting his food aid workers in Gaza, stating that they were attacked "systematically, car by car." Andres, who founded the World Central Kitchen charity, claimed that the Israeli military was aware of the convoy's movements and identity, as it was marked with clear signs.

He emphasized that this was not an accidental attack but a deliberate one, as the convoy was over a distance of 1.5 to 1.8 kilometers and had distinctive logos.

An aid convoy was attacked in a deconflicting zone in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of aid workers.

The incident was called for investigation by the U.S. government and the home countries of the aid workers.

The convoy was hit shortly after unloading 100 tons of food brought by sea.

Israel's military expressed sorrow over the incident, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it unintentional.

The aid organization's leader, Andres, rejected this explanation and believed there may have been more than three strikes against the convoy.

He asserted that no democratic country or military would intentionally target civilians and humanitarians.

The Israeli military spokesperson responded to criticism from Andres, a WCK aid worker, regarding an attack in Gaza that harmed WCK aid workers.

The spokesperson acknowledged the incident as a mistake but stressed it wasn't intentional.

Andres, who was supposed to be present with his team, called for an end to the war and urged the U.S. to take stronger action.

He spoke with President Biden on Tuesday and questioned the U.S.'s role in providing aid to Gaza while simultaneously arming Israel.

Andres expressed confusion over America's military presence for humanitarian work while its weapons contribute to civilian casualties.

The text discusses the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza while they were attempting to leave a warehouse.

The chef and founder of the organization, Jose Andres, expressed concern over how Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu could wage a war to save Israeli hostages while using the same weapons that may have caused the deaths of the aid workers and other Palestinians.

Andres mentioned that his organization is still assessing the safety situation in Gaza before resuming aid deliveries.

The attack occurred as the team was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse in three armored cars.

The first car was attacked, allowing the team to escape and move to a second car, which was also attacked, forcing them to seek refuge in a third car.

At least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since October, and Hamas has accused Israel of targeting aid distribution sites.

Andres learned of the attack when his team in Gaza went missing, and he saw images of the bodies later.

Aid workers from World Central Kitchen, led by founder Jose Andres, have been delivering food aid to northern Gaza through a maritime corridor from Cyprus.

They have been working in collaboration with Israeli military, Arab nations, and other organizations.

However, during one of their deliveries, their convoy was attacked, resulting in the deaths of three aid workers.

The Israeli military asserted that the strikes were not deliberate, and the US sided with this statement.

Andres expressed outrage and sadness over the incident.

World Central Kitchen, founded in 2010, has a history of providing aid to disaster-stricken areas around the world, including Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

The conflict in Gaza began after Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October.

A conflict between Israel and Palestine resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, according to Israeli estimates, and displaced over 2.3 million people.

The health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza reported over 32,000 Palestinian deaths.

Andres, a speaker at an event, denounced the war, stating that it was a war against humanity itself and that humanity would ultimately prevail.