World Central Kitchen, a global disaster relief program, has announced the suspension of its operations at its main kitchen in Rafah due to ongoing Israeli attacks. In response to the conflict, the group has relocated many of its smaller community kitchens to northern Gaza. The Israeli military incursion into Rafah has displaced millions of people from the city, with families seeking refuge as the offensive in Gaza pushes south.
The United Nations reports that Rafah was overflowing with displaced families as Israel’s offensive advanced across the Gaza Strip. In Deir al-Balah, where many displaced Palestinians are seeking safety, World Central Kitchen’s kitchen was serving the largest number of meals. Despite the challenges, the group managed to serve 100,000 meals thanks to the entry of 58 aid trucks into Gaza.
In April, seven World Central Kitchen workers were killed in an Israeli Defense Force strike, prompting the group to temporarily suspend its operations in Gaza. However, the group announced its return to operations later that month. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has created immense challenges for humanitarian organizations like World Central Kitchen, as they work tirelessly to provide aid to those in need.
