Four foreign aid workers and their Palestinian driver were killed in a strike in central Gaza, with reports attributing the incident to an Israeli airstrike. The incident occurred while the workers, associated with the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), were returning from distributing food aid. According to health officials in Gaza and statements from WCK, the victims included nationals from Britain, Australia, Ireland, Poland, as well as their Palestinian driver.

The aid workers were reported to have been participating in relief efforts by distributing 400 tonnes of food aid in Gaza when their convoy was hit. Their bodies were identified at Al-Aqsa hospital and were noted to be wearing protective gear with the WCK logo, indicating their humanitarian mission.

World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, confirmed the deaths of its team members and described the event as a tragedy. Andrés has called for an end to the indiscriminate killings and has emphasized the need to ensure the safety of humanitarian aid operations in Gaza. In response to the incident, the Israeli military announced it is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the airstrike, stating it aims to facilitate safe aid delivery in the region.

The tragedy has drawn international attention, with the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, among the voices calling for an urgent inquiry into the strike. This incident adds to previous accusations against Israel for targeting humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza and raises serious concerns about the safety of aid workers and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

The international community, including figures and organizations involved in humanitarian aid, continues to monitor the situation closely, awaiting further updates on the investigation and efforts to safeguard those providing essential services in areas of conflict.