Ministry of Foreign Affairs lamented the more than 200 deaths of humanitarian workers and called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Middle East War
O Ministry of Foreign Affairs repudiated Israel's air strike in the Deir el-Balah region, in the Gaza Strip, which left 7 humanitarian workers dead last Monday (April 1, 2024). The victims were from the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK, acronym in English).
According to Itamaraty, Israel's action “deplores” the deaths of “Palestinian health workers and the damage caused by military action in recent weeks, which resulted in the destruction of the Al-Shifa hospital, in a context in which medical assistance to the population of Gaza is fundamental”.
The ministry also provided solidarity with the people of Palestine, as well as workers from other nations and their families. Here are the countries where the victims were from:
- Australia;
- UK;
- U.S;
- Canada;
- Poland.
“Brazil regrets that more than 200 humanitarian workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. This number is the highest in the history of the UN and represents, in less than 6 months of conflict, almost 3 times more victims among humanitarian workers than ever recorded in a single conflict over a period of 1 year.”he said.
Finally, the Brazilian government said it reiterated the “firm repudiation of any and all military actions against civilian targets, especially those linked to the provision of humanitarian aid and medical assistance”especially those linked “the provision of humanitarian aid and medical assistance”.
Read the full note from Itamary:
“The Brazilian government learned, with deep consternation, of an Israeli air strike, which took place on April 1, in the Deir el-Balah region, in the Gaza Strip, in which seven workers from the humanitarian NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) were killed . It also deplores the deaths of Palestinian civilians and health workers and the damage caused by military action in recent weeks, which resulted in the destruction of the Al-Shifa hospital, in a context in which medical assistance to the population of Gaza is essential.
“In expressing its solidarity with the people of Palestine and the other countries of nationality of the victims (Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Poland), especially their families, Brazil regrets that more than 200 humanitarian agents were killed in the Strip of Gaza since October 2023. This number is the highest in the history of the UN and represents, in less than six months of conflict, almost three times more victims among humanitarian workers than ever recorded in a single conflict, in a period of one year.
“The Brazilian government reiterates its firm repudiation of any and all military actions against civilian targets, especially those linked to the provision of humanitarian aid and medical assistance. It reiterates the importance of complying with the demand for an immediate ceasefire contained in UN Security Council resolution 2728, approved on March 25. And it recalls the mandatory nature of the precautionary measures handed down by the International Court of Justice, on January 26th, and expanded, on March 28th, within the scope of the proceedings brought against Israel, based on the Convention for the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” .
Read more about:
THE ATTACK
Seven employees from WCK (World Central Kitchen) were killed on Monday (April 1, 2024) by an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, informed the NGO of food aid. The victims are from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom and Palestine, as well as one with dual citizenship from the United States and Canada. Here's the complete of the statement, in English (PDF – 261 kB).
According to the organization, “despite the coordination of movements” with the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), the group was hit as it left the Deir al-Balah warehouse (in the center of the Gaza Strip), where it had unloaded more than 100 tons of food aid taken to Gaza via the sea route .
“This is not just an attack on WCK, it is an attack on humanitarian organizations in the most dire situation, where food is used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable”, accused Erin Gore, CEO of WCK, stating that the attack by the Israeli Forces was “targeted”.
The food aid NGO announced the immediate pause of its operations in Gaza.
In a statement on TelegramIsrael Defense said it had initiated a “in-depth investigation of the incident by the highest levels to understand all circumstances”.
“The IDF makes great efforts to enable the safe passage of humanitarian aid and works in full cooperation and coordination with the WCK organization in order to support its efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to residents of the Gaza Strip”, he concluded.
Read the full WCK note, in free translation into Portuguese:
“World Central Kitchen is devastated to confirm that 7 members of our team were killed in an IDF attack in Gaza.
“The team was traveling in a conflict-free zone in 2 armored cars with the WCK logo.
“Despite coordination of movements with the IDF, the convoy was hit as it left the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza via the sea route.
“'This is not just an attack on WCK, it is an attack on humanitarian organizations in the most dire situation, where food is used as a weapon of war. This is inexcusable,' said Erin Gore, CEO of World Central Kitchen.
“The 7 dead are from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, dual citizenship of the USA and Canada, and Palestine.
“'I am heartbroken and shocked that we – World Central Kitchen and the world – lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF. The love they had for feeding people, the determination they embodied to show that humanity rises above all else, and the impact they made on countless lives will forever be remembered and appreciated,' said Erin.
“The IDF states that it is 'conducting an in-depth examination at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident.'
“World Central Kitchen is immediately pausing operations in the region. We will soon make decisions about the future of our work.”
Read the full IDF note, in free translation into Portuguese:
“Following reports of the incident concerning employees of the WCK organization in the Gaza Strip, the IDF initiated an in-depth investigation of the incident at the highest levels to understand the full circumstances.
“The IDF makes great efforts to enable the safe passage of humanitarian aid and works in full cooperation and coordination with the WCK organization in order to support its efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to residents of the Gaza Strip.”
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