Details of the Israeli military attack on the humanitarian aid convoy

Investigations into the April 1, 2024, Israeli Defense Forces drone strikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza have revealed communication failures and misidentifications.

Departure and Coordination of the Aid Convoy

On the evening of April 1, 2024, the World Central Kitchen aid team was supervising the unloading of a food-laden barge on the Gaza coast. The shipment had been coordinated with the Israeli military, but a delay in security approval caused the convoy to set off during nighttime hours.

Two drones belonging to the Israeli military's Nahal brigade tracked the convoy, but specific details regarding the mission were not communicated from the high command to the brigade and drone operators.

Armed Guards and Faulty Intelligence

Local guards were waiting at a WCK reception center, at least one of whom was armed. The use of local security was contrary to WCK policy, and drone footage showed an armed individual firing into the air.

The Disastrous Strike on the Road to Rafah

Although the convoy reached its destination in Deir al-Balah, unloaded the aid supplies, and proved it was not hijacked, WCK workers were deemed culpable on the grounds that they were near armed individuals.

After leaving the warehouse, the WCK vehicles traveled in different directions toward Rafah, with three vehicles being struck during a four-minute window between 23:09 and 23:13.

Military Justifications and Objections

As a result of the launched attacks, seven humanitarian aid workers and a security consultant from the United Kingdom, Australia, Poland, Palestine, and the US lost their lives.

Although the military prosecutor claimed that the workers had deviated from the route, a report commissioned by the Australian government revealed that this deviation was only learned after the attack.