On the day of the strike, WCK reported that an Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle transporting their colleagues, resulting in the deaths of three contractors. Linda Roth, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized that they had no prior knowledge of any connections between their team members and Hamas. In light of the incident and the prevailing humanitarian crisis affecting around two million people in Gaza, WCK has decided to pause its operations in the area.
The Israeli military, while defending its action, articulated that the targeted individual had been actively involved in the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, an Israeli settlement near the Gaza border that suffered abductions and attacks. According to the military, the targeted individual was under surveillance and the airstrike was executed based on credible intelligence regarding his whereabouts. They specified that the vehicle targeted was civilian and not marked as an aid transport.
Roth clarified that the vehicle in question lacked any visible branding and stated that the organization is currently investigating the events surrounding the strike. The military has not clarified the status of the two other WCK workers who were in the vehicle but not accused of participation in the earlier attacks.
The incident highlights the inherent dangers aid organizations face in conflict zones and raises questions about the identification and protection of humanitarian workers amid military operations. With continued violence and increasing humanitarian needs in Gaza, the suspension of WCK operations will further complicate the crisis affecting civilians in the area.
The Israeli military, while defending its action, articulated that the targeted individual had been actively involved in the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, an Israeli settlement near the Gaza border that suffered abductions and attacks. According to the military, the targeted individual was under surveillance and the airstrike was executed based on credible intelligence regarding his whereabouts. They specified that the vehicle targeted was civilian and not marked as an aid transport.
Roth clarified that the vehicle in question lacked any visible branding and stated that the organization is currently investigating the events surrounding the strike. The military has not clarified the status of the two other WCK workers who were in the vehicle but not accused of participation in the earlier attacks.
The incident highlights the inherent dangers aid organizations face in conflict zones and raises questions about the identification and protection of humanitarian workers amid military operations. With continued violence and increasing humanitarian needs in Gaza, the suspension of WCK operations will further complicate the crisis affecting civilians in the area.
