UAE praises role of World Central Kitchen in Gaza

• Published date: 06 April 2024
• Author: SETH J. FRANTZMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The conversation came a day after the IDF concluded an investigation into the killing of seven humanitarian aid workers of WCK on April 1

"The IDF takes seriously the grave incident that claimed the lives of seven innocent humanitarian aid workers. We express our deep sorrow for the loss and send our condolences to the families and the WCK organization. We consider the vital humanitarian activity of international aid organizations to be of utmost importance, and we will continue to work to coordinate and assist their activities, while ensuring their safety and safeguarding their lives," the IDF said.

The IDF has presented deep sorrow and other officials have said the same.

UAE paused humanitarian aid efforts

The UAE paused humanitarian aid efforts via the maritime corridor on April 2. The UAE had been supporting aid moving to Gaza from Cyprus and it was a key partner with WCK. WCK also paused aid after the incident.

A ship with 240 tonnes of food was supposed to be delivering aid to Gaza and it was being offloaded on April 1. A hundred tonnes had been offloaded to Gaza and the seven aid workers had been helping move it to a warehouse.

Their cars were struck in airstrikes in the evening of April 1. This leaves many questions about the future of aid moving to northern Gaza. Many countries have also backed airdrops to Gaza.

Israel opened the Erez crossing for the first time since the Hamas attack began on October 7. Now aid can also flow via Ashdod.

The UAE has been a key provider of aid in Gaza and has also established a field hospital in Gaza. It is one of half a dozen field hospitals in Gaza that countries are helping with in order to aid Gazans.

The UAE has also sent flights to Al-Arish in Egypt. The UAE was a key partner in the Abraham Accords of 2020. The killing of the...