Celebrity chef and founder of the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), José Andrés, paid tribute to his seven employees who tragically lost their lives during an aid mission in Gaza. A solemn service was held at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, where their memories were honored.
“They took incredible risks to provide nourishment to strangers they had never met and would never have the chance to meet,” he expressed, commending his employees as exemplars of the finest qualities of humanity. “Their acts of selflessness should serve as a source of inspiration for us all, motivating us to strive for improvement and to become better individuals.”
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Seven aid workers were in the process of leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, a central location in Gaza, after successfully delivering food to those in need. As they made their way through a designated “deconflicted zone,” consisting of two armored cars, tragedy struck in the form of an Israeli airstrike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took responsibility for the accidental strike and expressed his condolences over the tragic event. He acknowledged that such unfortunate incidents can occur during times of war.
During the celebration of life, Andrés delivered a heartfelt speech in which he expressed his admiration for each of the workers. He tearfully emphasized that every loss of an innocent life is unacceptable.
He stated that food could never be used as a weapon of war and that humanitarians should never be targeted because they represent the best of humanity.
Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, attended the memorial to represent the Biden administration, as reported by Politico.
After the strike, President Biden reached out to Andrés to express his condolences and issued a statement expressing his outrage over the tragic deaths of the workers, which included an individual holding dual American-Canadian citizenship.
Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) also attended the memorial.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the hardships faced by those affected by humanitarian crises, as emphasized by José Andrés,” Coons shared on the social platform X. “Even in the most dire circumstances, we have the power to bring hope and make a difference.”
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