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World Central Kitchen pauses Rafah aid work because of Israel’s ‘ongoing attacks’

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World Central Kitchen pauses Rafah aid work because of Israel’s ‘ongoing attacks’

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World Central Kitchen said Wednesday it’s pausing its humanitarian aid operation in Rafah and moving its community kitchens further north in the Gaza Strip because of “ongoing attacks” by Israel’s military.

The move comes as Israel appears to be escalating its assault on Rafah. Israel’s military said it gained “tactical control” over a narrow strip of land separating Gaza from Egypt known as the “Philadelphi corridor.”

It also follows an Israeli airstrike on Sunday that killed at least 45 people in a tent camp near Gaza’s southernmost city. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic accident.”

But the airstrike took place near where Palestinians fleeing Israel’s military have sought shelter in a specially designated “safe” zone. Witnesses and survivors said many of those caught up in the attack died in a raging fire that appeared to be sparked by the strike. Two further Israeli attacks in Rafah killed at least 21 Palestinians on Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. Israel denied carrying out these attacks.

In a statement posted on social media, WCK said “countless families are being forced to flee once again.” It said the “situation is dire” but that on Tuesday it was able to provide almost 100,000 meals to displaced Palestinians. It also said that since Sunday, 58 of its aid trucks have entered Gaza and hopes to increase the figure.

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WCK resumed distributing food in Gaza in late April, nearly a month after seven of its aid workers were killed in an Israeli air strike. “Ultimately, we decided we must keep feeding,” the organization said.

Late Tuesday, the Biden administration reiterated its support for Israel, saying the operation that killed at least 45 people in the Gaza Strip over the weekend didn’t constitute a major ground incursion that crosses any U.S. red lines. A CNN analysis concluded that U.S.-made munitions were used in Israel’s airstrike that killed scores of people.

Dig deeper: Death of José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen crew marks a new low in Gaza war, aid workers say

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