Aid Workers Are Not a Target

InterAction extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the humanitarians who have tragically lost their lives in Gaza.

Gaza has evolved into one the world’s most dangerous places for humanitarians to provide aid. As of March 20, 2024, at least 196 humanitarians have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war.

Today, Israeli airstrikes killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) team members in Gaza. The WCK team was in a deconflicted zone in cars branded with the WCK logo. Despite the coordinated efforts with the IDF, the convoy was still struck by incoming fire.

The continued attacks by the IDF on humanitarians and civilian infrastructure are not isolated incidents.

Anera’s long time staff member, Mousa Shawwa, was killed by an Israeli strike on March 8; the coordinates of his shelter were provided for deconfliction many times.

Project HOPE’s nurse, Mohammed Hamed Mansour Madi, was killed in an airstrike on his home in Gaza on March 3. He worked in their primary health clinic in Rafah around the clock to treat patients who were displaced.

On January 18, the Israeli Military struck the Medical Aid for Palestinians and the International Rescue Committee’s shared guest house in Gaza. They have reported it was likely a U.S. manufactured bomb that hit the residential compound in Al Mawasi that was considered a “safe zone” in Gaza.

On December 12, 2023, Save the Children confirmed the death their staff member Sameh Ewaida (39) following Israeli airstrikes. Sameh had been with Save the Children since 2019 and was the proud father of four children—Mohammad (12), Heba (11), Zeina (3), and Zein (2). All of his children, his wife Fatima, and many other members of his extended family of 28 are also believed to have been killed in the same airstrikes.

This must end. Humanitarians should never be a target. And, as long as humanitarians are being targeted, aid cannot get to the people in need.

The following InterAction Members have endorsed the statement:

• Doctors of the World USA
• MedGlobal
• Church World Service
• Project HOPE
• Norwegian Refugee Council USA
• Islamic Relief
• Tarjimly
• Refugees International
• FHI 360
• Americares
• Anera
• Mercy Corps
• Save the Children U.S.
• International Rescue Committee
• Medical Teams International
• Global Support and Development
• Heart to Heart International
• MedGlobal
• CORE Group
• Physicians for Peace
• WaterAid America
• GOAL
• Mennonite Central Committee
• Embrace Relief
• Helping Hand For Relief and Development
• Humanity & Inclusion
• World Renew
• Bread for the World
• UNICEF USA
• CARE
• Plan International USA
• World Institute on Disability
• Alight
• International Relief Teams
• WEEMA International
• Solar Cookers International
• Population Communication
• Syrian American Medical Society
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
• Global Communities

InterAction Member Statements on Attacks on NGO Workers and Humanitarian Infrastructure

• Anera: US NGO Worker Killed in Israeli Airstrike
• Project HOPE Mourns Tragic Loss of Colleague in Gaza
• Gaza: IRC and MAP Additional Statement on Airstrike on Residential Compound Housing Emergency Medical Team
• Save the Children CEO Janti Soeripto on the Death of Colleague Sameh Ewaida and his Family
• Tragic loss of HI Team Member in Gaza
• Islamic Relief statement in response to attack on aid workers in Gaza
• Global Communities Mourns Loss of Colleague and Family in Gaza Airstrike

Last Updated: April 9, 2024 at 1:40 p.m.