The global kitchen organization "World Central Kitchen" expressed shock, stating, "We are devastated by the confirmation of the deaths of 7 members of our team in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza." They added that "our team was moving in a demilitarized area with two armored vehicles and another vehicle displaying our logo," clarifying that "we were attacked while leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, despite coordinating our movement with the Israeli army." The organization further stated, "The attack is not just against our organization but against humanitarian organizations," explaining that "the seven deceased are from Australia, Poland, and the UK, holding dual nationalities from America, Canada, and Palestine." They announced that "we will immediately and temporarily halt our operations in the area and will soon make decisions regarding the future of our work."
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the Israeli airstrike. He wrote on the platform "X": "I condemn this attack and call for an investigation to begin as soon as possible." He added: "Despite all the appeals to protect civilians and relief workers, we still see innocent people being killed." The EU foreign policy chief called for "the implementation of the Security Council resolution regarding a ceasefire, the delivery of aid, and the enhancement of civilian protections."
Hamas condemned the targeting of the World Central Kitchen relief team by the Israeli army south of Deir al-Balah, accompanied by a video of the team's work in the sector. The movement stated on Tuesday: "We strongly condemn the targeting of the personnel of World Central Kitchen by the Zionist occupation army," adding that "this crime confirms that the occupation insists on a policy of systematic killing against civilians and international humanitarian teams." They continued: "The occupation targets international and humanitarian relief teams to terrorize their workers and prevent them from continuing their missions." Hamas demanded that the international community and the Security Council "condemn this heinous act and take action to put an end to the crimes of the occupation."
