World Central Kitchen Halts Operations in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza, killed five people, including three employees of the U.S. charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), prompting the organization to pause its operations in the region. WCK stated it was 'heartbroken' by the loss and confirmed that its vehicle, clearly marked with the charity's logo, was hit. The Israeli military claimed one of the deceased was a 'terrorist' involved in the October 7 attacks, a claim WCK disputed, stating it had no knowledge of any such ties among its staff. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by aid workers in Gaza, as violence continues despite a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. This airstrike follows a previous incident in April where seven WCK workers were killed, raising concerns about the safety of humanitarian efforts in the area. The situation remains tense as both humanitarian agencies and international observers call for clearer protection for aid workers in conflict zones.