Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza echoed around the world as friends and family grieved the losses of those who were providing food to besieged Palestinians with the organization World Central Kitchen.
The victims included three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national, an American-Canadian dual citizen, and a Palestinian. Some had traveled the world, participating in aid efforts following wars, earthquakes, and wildfires.
Here’s some information on those killed.
SAIFEDDIN ISSAM AYAD ABUTAHA
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, had been employed as a driver and translator for World Central Kitchen since the beginning of the year, according to his relatives.
His brothers described him as a dedicated young man eager to assist fellow Palestinians.
He had also been a successful businessman involved in trade with Ukraine, Egypt, China, and others, said his brother Abdul Razzaq Abutaha. His work had made him known on the Israeli side, his brother added, which facilitated coordination and approval to assist the World Central Kitchen team in unloading the ship.
Saifeddin had hoped to get married. “My mother was looking for a wife for him,” Abdul Razzaq Abu Taha said. “He was supposed to get married if the war didn’t happen.”
Saifeddin and other workers were excited about unloading the food aid, urgently needed food in Gaza. The last time Saifeddin and his brother spoke, he said, they’d finished the job and he was heading home.
After hearing about the airstrikes, Abdul Razzaq Abutaha said he tried to call to see whether Saifeddin was OK.
After many attempts, he said, a stranger answered and told him, “I found this phone about 200 meters away from the car. All of the people inside are killed.”
LALZAWMI ‘ZOMI’ FRANKCOM
Friends and family remembered Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, 43, as a courageous, unselfish woman whose concern for others took her across the world. For the past five years, she had worked for Washington-based World Central Kitchen, leading her to the U.S., Thailand, and her native Australia.
“We mourn this fine Australian who has a record of helping out her fellow citizens, whether it be internationally or whether it be through the support that she gave during the wildfires that took place during the devastating fires of the previous summer,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated to Australian Broadcasting Corp. “She is someone who clearly was concerned about her fellow humanity.”
In a statement, relatives described Frankcom as an “exceptional person” who was “killed while doing the work she loves delivering food to the people of Gaza.”
She was born in Melbourne and earned a bachelor’s degree from the Swinburne University of Technology. For eight years, she worked for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation’s largest bank.
Frankcom’s social media showcased visits to assist those in need in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania, and Haiti.
World Central Kitchen colleague Dora Weekley, who met Frankcom while responding to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas in 2019, described her as “very enthusiastic.”
She remembered when Frankcom was invited to walk a Hollywood red carpet, for a documentary about World Central Kitchen that was nominated for an Emmy.
“I remember receiving a picture of her in a dress, saying, ‘Hold onto this forever,’” Weekley told ABC. “Because usually I’m in sweats and runners, and I’m in Pakistan or Afghanistan or, you know, she could be anywhere, and never with her hair done or makeup done.
“She worked all hours, she gave everything, and she believed in helping people who were less fortunate.”
DAMIAN SOBÓL
Damian Soból, 35, was known as a cheerful, friendly and resourceful manager who quickly rose in World Central Kitchen’s ranks.
Coming from the southeastern Polish city of Przemyśl and studying hospitality there, Soból had been on aid missions in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey and, for the past six months, Gaza.
”He was a really extraordinary guy,” said Marta Wilczynska, of the Free Place Foundation, which cooperates with World Central Kitchen. “We were very proud of him.”
Wilczynska met Soból on the Polish side of the border with Ukraine, a few days after Russia’s February 2022 invasion. He spoke English well and was a translator, and as a skilled manager, he could organize work in any condition, she said.
“Always smiling, always so helpful, he loved this job. I felt I had a brother in him,” Wilczynska said.
Free Place Foundation President Mikolaj Rykowski said Soból was “the man for every task — he could overcome every difficulty.”
Posting on Facebook, Przemyśl Mayor Wojciech Bakun said of Soból’s death that there are “no words to describe how people who knew this fantastic young man feel now.”
JOHN CHAPMAN, JAMES HENDERSON AND JAMES KIRBY
The three British victims were military veterans who had been in dangerous situations before. They died providing security for the World Central Kitchen aid mission.
Kirby, 47, came from the port city of Bristol in southwest England and served in Bosnia and Afghanistan with the British Army before moving into private security work. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked as a players’ escort at the 2021 Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Kirby’s relative Amy Roxburgh-Barry described him as a 'complete gentleman' who was planning to surprise his mother and aunt with a cruise after his return from Gaza.
She expressed deep sadness that despite surviving wars without injury, he was killed while trying to do something good.
Chapman, 57, was a former Royal Marines member, and his family stated that they were devastated by his loss.
His family said he died while attempting to assist people and was the victim of a cruel act. They also praised him as an amazing father, husband, son, and brother.
Henderson, also known as Jim, at 33, was a former Royal Marine from Cornwall, England. He was scheduled to leave Gaza on the day of his death.
JACOB FLICKINGER
Jacob Flickinger, 33, held citizenship in both the United States and Canada and was reportedly leading the team.
A GoFundMe page aimed at supporting his family mentioned that he had a partner and a one-year-old son at home.
In Acapulco, Mexico, local restaurants posted on social media about Flickinger's participation in relief efforts after Hurricane Otis hit the Pacific coast last fall. Hurricane Otis hit the Pacific coast. the Pacific coast.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly urged a thorough investigation and denounced attacks on humanitarian workers as 'completely unacceptable'.
During a NATO meeting in Brussels, she reiterated the need for an inquiry and stated that she had contacted the Israeli foreign minister. Speaking before a NATO meeting, she stressed the importance of Israel adhering to humanitarian law and indicated that they would ensure compliance.
Earlier versions of this story provided incorrect details about the Palestinian man and Damian Soból's age, which have now been corrected based on information from World Central Kitchen and the individuals' families.
Friends and family are mourning the loss of those who were delivering food.
