Israeli airstrikes killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) on Monday, leading to strong criticism of Israel's ongoing bombing and sorrow from friends, family, and the global community.
The workers were leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and driving in a “deconflicted zone” in two armored cars when the strike hit, the organization said. WCK, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has been working in Gaza to deliver several hundred tons of food to civilians in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took responsibility for the “unintended” airstrikes and described it as a “tragic event,” but also mentioned that such incidents occur in war.
WCK disclosed the names of the employees Tuesday after Andrés reproached Netanyahu and Israel for the deaths. Andrés urged the Israeli government to stop its “indiscriminate killing” and stated that “no more innocent lives” should be lost.
In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Andrés claimed that Israel focused on his aid workers “methodically, car by car.” He asserted that it’s not a “matter of bad luck” where the IDF mistakenly “dropped the bomb in the wrong place.”
“No democratic country and no military can be targeting civilians and humanitarians,” he said.
On Tuesday, Biden called contacted Andrés to express his condolences. Biden issued a statement Tuesday expressing his “outrage” at the news of Flickinger and the other worker’s deaths.
Here’s what we know about the people who were killed:
Jacob Flickinger
Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old citizen of both the United States and Canada, served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 10 years and was deployed to Afghanistan, according to The Associated Press.
In WCK’s post, the organization mentioned that Flickinger was one of the four team members killed.
His mother, Sylvie Labrecque, informed the AP that losing her son was “an extreme loss,” but she was “not surprised” because he was deeply involved in “this type of work.”
“There has been several times where I thought there was a strong possibility that his life was going to be short,” she said. “He was kind of wild. He was very intense, but at the same time very smart.”
A GoFundMe page raising funds to support Flickinger’s family stated that he had a 22-year-old girlfriend and a 1-year-old son in Costa Rica.
The Washington Post reported that Flickinger told his father, who is separated from Labrecque, to inform his mother that he was heading to Cyprus on the mission, not Gaza, because he didn’t want her to worry.
His mother thinks the aid convoy was intentionally attacked by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Flickinger’s death is the first time an American has been killed in Gaza by the IDF since the start of the Oct. 7 war.
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, who was 25 and a Palestinian citizen, had been employed by WCK as a driver and interpreter since the beginning of the year, according to his relatives who were cited by the AP.
His brothers described him as a committed young man who was keen to assist fellow Palestinians in the conflict. One of his brothers mentioned that he had hoped to get married if the war didn’t happen.
As a thriving businessman engaged in trade with Ukraine, Egypt, China, and other countries, his activities had brought him to the attention of the Israelis, his brother stated. At their last conversation, Saifeddin was eager to return home soon as their mission was almost completed.
A stranger answered Saifeddin’s ringing phone following the airstrike and informed his brother that “all of the people inside are killed.” Saifeddin was a member of the WCK relief team.
Damian Soból
Damian Soból, a 35-year-old citizen of Poland, was a manager and member of the relief team, known for his cheerful, amiable, and resourceful nature, which led him to quickly advance within WCK.
Soból hailed from Przemyśl in southeastern Poland and pursued studies in hospitality. He had previously been on missions in Ukraine, Morocco, and Turkey, and had spent the last six months in Gaza.
Marta Wilczynska from the Free Place Foundation, associated with WCK, mentioned meeting Soból on the Polish side of the Ukraine border shortly after Russia invaded the country in 2022. He was proficient in English and was described as a “truly remarkable individual” capable of surmounting “every difficulty.”
The community in Przemyśl will organize a local memorial for Soböl on Apr. 4. The mass and memorial are “open to the public” and “all are welcome to attend & pay tribute to Damian,” WCK stated in a post online.
Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom
Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, a 43-year-old Australian citizen, was a member of the WCK relief team.
She had worked for the Washington-based WCK, which took her to the U.S., Thailand and her home country Australia. Her friends and family remembered her as a brave and selfless woman.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the country will “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 brush fires that occurred during the Black Summer.”
In a statement reported by the AP, Frankcom’s relatives said she was an “outstanding human being” who was “killed doing the work she loves delivering food to the people of Gaza.”
Frankcom was born in Melbourne and earned a bachelor’s degree from the Swinburne University of Technology. Her social media pages showcased her travels and aid missions in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania, and Haiti.
Her friend described her as “larger than life.” Frankcom “worked all hours, she gave everything, and she believed in helping people who were less fortunate.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Andrés said Frankcom was always a courageous person. He said Frankcom's spirit will always be with us and will always nourish people, with love and kindness.
You made unseen people feel like they were being noticed…being heard…I'm sorry my friend…I wish I never met you…I wish I never founded @WCKKitchen…you would be alive somewhere today, smiling and making somebody somewhere feel like they were the most loved person in the world…That's how I always felt with you, Andrés wrote.
John Chapman
John Chapman was a 57-year-old person from the United Kingdom. He was on WCK’s security team.
Chapman was a Royal Marines veteran whose family said in a statement they were devastated to lose him.
He passed away trying to help people and was the victim of a cruel act, the family’s statement said. He was an amazing father, husband, son, and brother.
His family asked to be given privacy and time to sorrow appropriately.
He was cherished by many and will always be a hero. He will be greatly missed, the statement said, reported by Sky News.
James Henderson
James Henderson, known as Jim, was 33 years old and a former member of the Royal Marine from Cornwall in southeast England. Sky News reported that Henderson was set to leave Gaza on Monday, the same day he was killed.
Henderson was part of the WCK security team along with Chapman.
James Kirby
James Kirby, 47, was from Bristol in southwest England and served in the British Army before moving to private security work, including as a private security guard for players in the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Kirby’s cousin, Amy Roxburgh-Barry, said he was an all-round gentleman who was planning on taking his mother and aunt on a surprise vacation after he returned from Gaza.
It's just devastating that he’s fought in these wars and come home with not a scratch, and then he goes out to do something helpful, and that’s what happens, she told Sky News.
The Associated Press contributed.
