World Central Kitchen Fires 62 Gaza Employees

World Central Kitchen (WCK) has dismissed 62 employees in Gaza following accusations from Israel that they had links to terrorist organizations, specifically in relation to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that resulted in over 1,200 deaths. The U.S.-based charity confirmed it made these changes after Israel demanded an investigation into its hiring practices but emphasized that this should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt regarding the individuals' affiliations. WCK stated that it was unaware of any employee's involvement in the attacks and had not received detailed intelligence from Israel to justify the terminations. Among those dismissed was Ahed Azmi Qdeih, who was identified as having participated in the attack and was killed in an Israeli airstrike on November 30. The situation has raised concerns about the operational viability of WCK in Gaza, prompting a pause in their operations as they navigate the fallout. This incident highlights wider issues regarding alleged affiliations between aid organizations and militant groups in the region, similar to accusations faced by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).