Humanitarian group World Central Kitchen, which lost seven of its aid workers in an Israeli airstrike a month ago, has announced that it will resume operations in Gaza from Monday (April 29).

Humanitarian group World Central Kitchen, which lost seven of its aid workers in an Israeli airstrike a month ago, has announced that it will resume operations in Gaza from Monday (April 29). The World Central Kitchen's operations were paused by its celebrity chef Jose Andres after its convoy was hit by Israel Defence Forces on April 1. In a message, World Central Kitchen (WCK) CEO Erin Gore said that the organisation will “continue to get as much food into Gaza, including northern Gaza, as possible.” Also Read: Israel targeted aid convoy 'systematically, car by car' and killed his staff members, alleges WCK founder “The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We are restarting our operation with the same energy, dignity, and focus on feeding as many people as possible. To date, we have distributed more than 43 million meals and we are eager to deliver millions more. Food is a universal right and our work in Gaza has been the most life-saving mission in our 14-year organisational history,” said Gore in the statement. WCK promises to deliver food 'with same energy, dignity and focus' The group, while speaking about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, said that they were restarting operations “with the same energy, dignity, and focus” to provide food to as many people as possible as they continue to mourn the loss of their seven colleagues and friends. “We have been forced to make a decision: stop feeding altogether during one of the worst hunger crises ever, ending our operation that accounted for 62% of all International NGO aid, or keep feeding knowing that aid, aid workers, and civilians are being intimidated and killed,” wrote Erin Gore the CEO of WCK. “These are the hardest conversations and we have to consider all perspectives when deliberating. Ultimately, we decided that we must keep feeding, continuing our mission of showing up to provide food to people during the toughest of times,” she said. The announcement was made less than a month after a three-car convoy carrying seven international aid workers was struck by an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) missile in central Gaza. Watch: Aid ship carrying food supplies from World Central Kitchen charity reaches Gaza coast The aid workers were identified by the organisation as Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, a 25-year-old Palestinian; Lalzawmi (Zomi) Frankcom, a 43-year-old Australian; Damian Soból, a 35-year-old from Poland; Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada; and security team members John Chapman, 57, James (Jim) Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, all from the United Kingdom. There are 276 trucks of World Central Kitchen which can transfer almost 8 million meals into Gaza via Rafah. These trucks will also be sent to the enclave via Jordan, WCK said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

World Central Kitchen to restart sending food to Gaza, one month after losing seven aid workers

Days after seven&nbsp;foreign aid workers were killed by the Israeli army in Gaza in a "grave mistake", World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder Jose Andres accused the country of targeting his aid workers "systematically, car by car".

He said that the strike carried out by Israel on Monday (April 1) was not a mistake and added that Israeli forces were informed about the aid workers' movements.&nbsp;

In the airstrike, WCK aid workers from Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK and the US lost their lives along with a Palestinian colleague.&nbsp;

Israel called the strike a "grave mistake" and issued an apology. The Israeli government also vowed to carry out an independent investigation.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-uses-unparalleled-ai-to-target-suspected-hamas-militants-machine-did-it-coldly-707460">Israel uses 'unparalleled' AI to target suspected Hamas militants as machine did it 'coldly': Report</a>

According to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder, Israel launched strikes on the aid convoy while they were leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, "where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route".&nbsp;

<h2>Not a 'bad luck situation' for Israeli army, charity's logo was clearly displayed: Andres&nbsp;</h2>

He said that the convoy had three vehicles, two of them were armoured and the charity's logo was clearly displayed.&nbsp;

"This was not just a bad luck situation where ‘oops’ we dropped the bomb in the wrong place," said Andres.

"This was over a 1.5, 1.8 kilometres, with a very defined humanitarian convoy that had signs in the top, in the roof, a very colourful logo that we are obviously very proud of," he said. It's “very clear who we are and what we do," he added.

"They were targeting us in a deconflicting zone, in an area controlled by IDF. They know that it was our teams moving on that road ... with three cars," Andres said.

Narrating the entire incident to the Reuters news agency, the World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder said, "The team was coming from dropping in a warehouse… south of Gaza all the food they were able to download before it got too dark."&nbsp;

"Somehow we kind of lost communication. Then we began [to get] information that something went wrong, that something happened. And that is when I found out our team” were targeted," he said.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Israel War: Want Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza, says Hamas Chief

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"They were targeted systematically car by car," Andres said. He further alleged that Israel is most likely to have carried out more than three strikes by drones.

"They attacked the first car...We have a feeling they were able to escape safely because this was an armoured vehicle," Andres said. The people in the first car "were able to move in the second one. Again, this one was hit. They were able to move in the third one," he added.

He further said that the aid workers were trying to make calls when they were attacked to ask the Israeli Defense Forces, "'What are they doing? They are targeting us.’”&nbsp;

"The area was controlled by the Israeli military. They knew it was our team moving on that road with three cars," he said.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Days after seven foreign aid workers were killed by the Israeli army in Gaza in a "grave mistake", World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder Jose Andres accused the country of targeting his aid workers "systematically, car by car".

Days after seven foreign aid workers were killed by the Israeli army in Gaza in a "grave mistake", World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder Jose Andres accused the country of targeting his aid workers "systematically, car by car". He said that the strike carried out by Israel on Monday (April 1) was not a mistake and added that Israeli forces were informed about the aid workers' movements. In the airstrike, WCK aid workers from Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK and the US lost their lives along with a Palestinian colleague. Israel called the strike a "grave mistake" and issued an apology. The Israeli government also vowed to carry out an independent investigation. Also Read: Israel uses 'unparalleled' AI to target suspected Hamas militants as machine did it 'coldly': Report According to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder, Israel launched strikes on the aid convoy while they were leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, "where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route". Not a 'bad luck situation' for Israeli army, charity's logo was clearly displayed: Andres He said that the convoy had three vehicles, two of them were armoured and the charity's logo was clearly displayed. "This was not just a bad luck situation where ‘oops’ we dropped the bomb in the wrong place," said Andres. "This was over a 1.5, 1.8 kilometres, with a very defined humanitarian convoy that had signs in the top, in the roof, a very colourful logo that we are obviously very proud of," he said. It's “very clear who we are and what we do," he added. "They were targeting us in a deconflicting zone, in an area controlled by IDF. They know that it was our teams moving on that road ... with three cars," Andres said. Narrating the entire incident to the Reuters news agency, the World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder said, "The team was coming from dropping in a warehouse… south of Gaza all the food they were able to download before it got too dark." "Somehow we kind of lost communication. Then we began [to get] information that something went wrong, that something happened. And that is when I found out our team” were targeted," he said. Watch: Israel War: Want Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza, says Hamas Chief "They were targeted systematically car by car," Andres said. He further alleged that Israel is most likely to have carried out more than three strikes by drones. "They attacked the first car...We have a feeling they were able to escape safely because this was an armoured vehicle," Andres said. The people in the first car "were able to move in the second one. Again, this one was hit. They were able to move in the third one," he added. He further said that the aid workers were trying to make calls when they were attacked to ask the Israeli Defense Forces, "'What are they doing? They are targeting us.’” "The area was controlled by the Israeli military. They knew it was our team moving on that road with three cars," he said. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel targeted aid convoy 'systematically, car by car' and killed his staff members, alleges WCK founder

International condemnation of Israel grows over the killing of Aid workers in Gaza. According to the World Central Kitchen seven of its members were killed in the Israeli air strike. The victims were British polish Australian, Palestinian and it also included a dual US Canadian citizen. Here's what we know about the victims. Watch in for more details!

Israel war: Israeli explanation for strike on Gaza aid convoy 'not good enough': Australian PM

Israel must clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths of seven people working for Spanish-American celebrity chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

BREAKING: Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez lashes out at Israel on aid workers' death

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (April 2) said that Israel's government "has not done enough to protect aid workers" in Gaza amid its war with Hamas.

In his statement over the death of the aid workers, Biden said that he's "outraged and heartbroken" by the incident.

He said that the investigation promised by Israel's government "must be swift".

"Even more tragically, this is not a stand-alone incident. This conflict has been one of the worst in recent memory in terms of how many aid workers have been killed," Biden said.

"This is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult — because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians. Incidents like yesterday's simply should not happen. Israel has also not done enough to protect civilians," he added.

Biden further said that the US had "repeatedly urged Israel to deconflict their military operations against Hamas with humanitarian operations, in order to avoid civilian casualties." 
&nbsp;

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I am outraged and heartbroken by the deaths of seven humanitarian workers from World Central Kitchen, including one American, in Gaza yesterday. 
 
Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen. 
 
Here is my full statement. <a href="https://t.co/Nl2jq8wqTt">pic.twitter.com/Nl2jq8wqTt</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1775316042367094888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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President Joe Biden called World Central Kitchen founder Chef José Andres and expressed his condolences. He&nbsp;was "heartbroken" by the news, informed&nbsp;White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre while speaking to the reporters.

"The president conveyed he is grieving with the entire World Central Kitchen family. The president felt it was important to recognize the tremendous contribution World Central Kitchen has made to the people in Gaza and people around the world," he said.&nbsp;

Biden further said to Andres that "he will make clear to Israel that humanitarian aid workers must be protected," said Jean-Pierre.

<h2>Humanitarian groups suspend operations in Gaza</h2>

Several other countries expressed their outrage over the killing of seven international aid workers in Gaza as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the convoy was struck by the armed forces "unintentionally".

Meanwhile, humanitarian groups - like Anera and US-based Project Hope - announced that they are suspending operations in the territory in the aftermath of the tragic attack. World Central Kitchen had already halted its operations in Gaza.

Anera said that the decision was an “unprecedented step” and added that the killings, “alongside the loss of numerous other aid workers and their families, has led our team to conclude that delivering aid safely is no longer feasible”.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foreign-aid-workers-killed-after-food-delivery-in-israeli-strike-on-gaza-ngo-decries-attack-706700">Foreign aid workers killed after food delivery in Israeli strike on Gaza, NGO decries attack</a>

“While we understand the severe consequences this suspension will have on the Palestinian population, the escalating risks associated with aid delivery leave us with no choice but to halt operations until our staff regain confidence that they can do their work without undue risk,” its statement read.

Seven aid workers of World Central Kitchen, who were leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, were killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza on Tuesday (April 2).

The seven aid workers were Palestinian, UK, Australian and Polish nationals and one was also a US-Canada dual citizen.

<h2>Israel faces international pressure&nbsp;</h2>

In the wake of the killing of the aid workers, Israel has been facing increasing international pressure and has promised to carry out an independent investigation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued an apology for the deaths. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the call, in which the latter called the situation in Gaza "increasingly intolerable" and "demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation" into the aid workers' killing.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that he has asked his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz&nbsp;for an independent investigation.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that "full accountability" was required and added that it was "absolutely unacceptable for aid workers to be killed" by the IDF.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "Someone going about providing aid and humanitarian assistance should [never] lose their life."&nbsp;

<h2>Netanyahu vows independent investigation</h2>

Netanyahu vowed for an independent investigation while acknowledging that Israel's forces had hit "innocent people".

"Unfortunately, in the last 24 hours, there was a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip. It happens in war, we check it to the end, we are in contact with the governments, and we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;Israel War: Israel under pressure over aid workers' deaths

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<h2>IDF chief apologises, calls it a 'grave mistake'</h2>

Israeli Defence Forces chief Herzi Halevi accepted that it had committed a "grave mistake" in killing the aid workers.

"It was a mistake that followed a misidentification at night, during a war, in very complex conditions. It shouldn't have happened. We will continue taking immediate action to ensure that more is done to protect humanitarian aid workers. This incident was a grave mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the people of Gaza. We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK. An independent body will investigate the incident thoroughly, we will complete it in the next coming days," Halevi said, in a video message shared on X.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (April 2) said that Israel's government "has not done enough to protect aid workers" in Gaza amid its war with Hamas.

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (April 2) said that Israel's government "has not done enough to protect aid workers" in Gaza amid its war with Hamas. In his statement over the death of the aid workers, Biden said that he's "outraged and heartbroken" by the incident. He said that the investigation promised by Israel's government "must be swift". "Even more tragically, this is not a stand-alone incident. This conflict has been one of the worst in recent memory in terms of how many aid workers have been killed," Biden said. "This is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult — because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians. Incidents like yesterday's simply should not happen. Israel has also not done enough to protect civilians," he added. Biden further said that the US had "repeatedly urged Israel to deconflict their military operations against Hamas with humanitarian operations, in order to avoid civilian casualties." I am outraged and heartbroken by the deaths of seven humanitarian workers from World Central Kitchen, including one American, in Gaza yesterday. Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen. Here is my full statement. pic.twitter.com/Nl2jq8wqTt — President Biden (@POTUS) April 3, 2024 × President Joe Biden called World Central Kitchen founder Chef José Andres and expressed his condolences. He was "heartbroken" by the news, informed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre while speaking to the reporters. "The president conveyed he is grieving with the entire World Central Kitchen family. The president felt it was important to recognize the tremendous contribution World Central Kitchen has made to the people in Gaza and people around the world," he said. Biden further said to Andres that "he will make clear to Israel that humanitarian aid workers must be protected," said Jean-Pierre. Humanitarian groups suspend operations in Gaza Several other countries expressed their outrage over the killing of seven international aid workers in Gaza as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the convoy was struck by the armed forces "unintentionally". Meanwhile, humanitarian groups - like Anera and US-based Project Hope - announced that they are suspending operations in the territory in the aftermath of the tragic attack. World Central Kitchen had already halted its operations in Gaza. Anera said that the decision was an “unprecedented step” and added that the killings, “alongside the loss of numerous other aid workers and their families, has led our team to conclude that delivering aid safely is no longer feasible”. Also Read: Foreign aid workers killed after food delivery in Israeli strike on Gaza, NGO decries attack “While we understand the severe consequences this suspension will have on the Palestinian population, the escalating risks associated with aid delivery leave us with no choice but to halt operations until our staff regain confidence that they can do their work without undue risk,” its statement read. Seven aid workers of World Central Kitchen, who were leaving a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, were killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza on Tuesday (April 2). The seven aid workers were Palestinian, UK, Australian and Polish nationals and one was also a US-Canada dual citizen. Israel faces international pressure In the wake of the killing of the aid workers, Israel has been facing increasing international pressure and has promised to carry out an independent investigation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued an apology for the deaths. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the call, in which the latter called the situation in Gaza "increasingly intolerable" and "demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation" into the aid workers' killing. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that he has asked his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz for an independent investigation. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that "full accountability" was required and added that it was "absolutely unacceptable for aid workers to be killed" by the IDF. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "Someone going about providing aid and humanitarian assistance should [never] lose their life." Netanyahu vows independent investigation Netanyahu vowed for an independent investigation while acknowledging that Israel's forces had hit "innocent people". "Unfortunately, in the last 24 hours, there was a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip. It happens in war, we check it to the end, we are in contact with the governments, and we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again," he said. Watch: Israel War: Israel under pressure over aid workers' deaths IDF chief apologises, calls it a 'grave mistake' Israeli Defence Forces chief Herzi Halevi accepted that it had committed a "grave mistake" in killing the aid workers. "It was a mistake that followed a misidentification at night, during a war, in very complex conditions. It shouldn't have happened. We will continue taking immediate action to ensure that more is done to protect humanitarian aid workers. This incident was a grave mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the people of Gaza. We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK. An independent body will investigate the incident thoroughly, we will complete it in the next coming days," Halevi said, in a video message shared on X. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden expresses outrage over aid workers' death, sharply criticises Israel for 'inaction'

Israel is facing major diplomatic backlash over the airstrike that killed seven international aid workers, delivering desperately-needed food to the Gaza strip. Israel's defence forces chief of staff Herzi Halevi has issued an apology for deadly Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza. He says the strike was a result of a 'misidentification'. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Are aid workers being deliberately targeted?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says an Israeli airstrike had mistakenly killed seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in Gaza. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Israel admit aid workers killed in 'unintentional' IDF strike on Gaza

Israel's defence chief said Wednesday a strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza was a "grave mistake", after the deaths prompted a chorus of international outrage. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Israel admits 'unintentionally' killing 7 aid workers in Gaza

Israel War: Who were the World Central Kitchen's fallen soldiers in Gaza?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday an Israeli airstrike had mistakenly killed seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in Gaza, and the US&nbsp;and other allies called for explanations amid widespread condemnation.

Israel's military voiced "sincere sorrow" over the incident, which ratcheted up international pressure for steps to ease the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza nearly six months into Israel's siege and invasion of the Palestinian enclave.

The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killed citizens of Australia, Britain and Poland as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.

WATCH |&nbsp;Israel under pressure over aid workers' deaths

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WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said they had been travelling in two armoured cars emblazoned with the charity's logo and another vehicle.

"Unfortunately in the past day there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said in a video statement.&nbsp;

"This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence."

The Israeli military (IDF) pledged an investigation by "an independent, professional and expert body".

Britain summoned Israel's ambassador in London to express its "unequivocal condemnation of the appalling killing" of the WCK workers, three of whom were British nationals, and called for an urgent explanation from Israel of how this had occurred.

The United States, Israel's closest ally, said that there was no evidence Israel deliberately targeted the aid workers but that it was outraged by their deaths and Israel had an obligation to ensure aid workers in Gaza were not harmed.

The White House said it expected a broad and impartial investigation to be carried out with appropriate accountability.

"These people are heroes, they run into the fire, not away from it," US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of the seven aid workers, speaking to reporters in Paris. "We shouldn't have a situation where people who are simply trying to help their fellow human beings are themselves at grave risk."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-warns-israel-will-pay-for-attack-on-irans-damascus-consulate-706691">Hezbollah warns ‘Israel will pay' for attack on Iran's Damascus consulate</a>

Israel has long denied accusations that it is hindering the distribution of urgently needed food aid in Gaza, which it has besieged in a war since October, saying the problem is caused by international aid groups' inability to get it to those in need.

Despite coordinating movements with the Israeli military, the convoy was hit as it was leaving its Deir al-Balah warehouse after unloading more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea, WCK said.

"This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war," said Erin Gore, chief executive of World Central Kitchen.

"This is unforgivable."

In Cyprus, officials said seaborne aid for Gaza civilians was returning to the eastern Mediterranean island following the killing of the WCK workers, after the US-based charity said it would pause work in the enclave.

The United Arab Emirates, which had been the main financier for WCK's aid efforts through the maritime corridor, said it was pausing such shipments from Cyprus pending further safety guarantees from Israel and a full investigation.

<h2>INCREASING ISRAELI ISOLATION</h2>

Australia, Britain and Poland, countries which have generally been friendly towards Israel, all demanded action to protect aid workers, underlining Netanyahu's increasing diplomatic isolation over the situation in Gaza.

At least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since a Hamas attack on Israel on October&nbsp;7 triggered Israel's assault on the Hamas-ruled enclave, and the deaths of the WCK staffers were "the inevitable result of the way this war is currently being conducted", UN&nbsp;spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

Asked by reporters what the UN&nbsp;would say to the Israeli government over the airstrike, he said, "The message is: Let humanitarian workers do their job."

Israel has been under rising international pressure to alleviate severe hunger in Gaza, which has been shattered by Israel's offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Much of the densely populated territory has been laid waste and most of its 2.3 million population displaced.

The United Nations and other international groups have accused Israel of hindering aid distribution with bureaucratic obstacles and failing to ensure the security of food convoys, underlined by a disaster on February&nbsp;29, in which around 100 people were killed as they awaited an aid delivery.

Hamas, Gaza's dominant group, has said the main problem with aid distribution is Israeli targeting of aid workers. After the latest incident, it issued a statement saying the attack aimed to terrorise workers of international humanitarian agencies, deterring them from their missions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-netanyahu-speaks-on-aid-workers-death-in-gaza-after-getting-discharged-in-excellent-condition-706934">‘Such accidents happen in wartime’: Netanyahu on death of aid workers in Gaza; released from hospital</a>

Andres, who started WCK in 2010 by sending cooks and food to Haiti after an earthquake, said he was heartbroken and grieving for the families and friends of those who died in the airstrike.

"The Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing. It needs to stop restricting humanitarian aid, stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon," he said.

Video obtained by Reuters showed a large hole in the roof of a four-wheel-drive WCK vehicle and its burned and torn interior, as well as paramedics moving bodies into a hospital and displaying the passports of three of those killed.

Conditions in Gaza remain extremely precarious with fighting going on in several areas on Tuesday and 71 people killed in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours, according to Gaza health authorities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday an Israeli airstrike had mistakenly killed seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in Gaza, and the US and other allies called for explanations amid widespread condemnation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday an Israeli airstrike had mistakenly killed seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in Gaza, and the US and other allies called for explanations amid widespread condemnation. Israel's military voiced "sincere sorrow" over the incident, which ratcheted up international pressure for steps to ease the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza nearly six months into Israel's siege and invasion of the Palestinian enclave. The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killed citizens of Australia, Britain and Poland as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. WATCH | Israel under pressure over aid workers' deaths WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said they had been travelling in two armoured cars emblazoned with the charity's logo and another vehicle. "Unfortunately in the past day there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence." The Israeli military (IDF) pledged an investigation by "an independent, professional and expert body". Britain summoned Israel's ambassador in London to express its "unequivocal condemnation of the appalling killing" of the WCK workers, three of whom were British nationals, and called for an urgent explanation from Israel of how this had occurred. The United States, Israel's closest ally, said that there was no evidence Israel deliberately targeted the aid workers but that it was outraged by their deaths and Israel had an obligation to ensure aid workers in Gaza were not harmed. The White House said it expected a broad and impartial investigation to be carried out with appropriate accountability. "These people are heroes, they run into the fire, not away from it," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of the seven aid workers, speaking to reporters in Paris. "We shouldn't have a situation where people who are simply trying to help their fellow human beings are themselves at grave risk." Also Read | Hezbollah warns ‘Israel will pay' for attack on Iran's Damascus consulate Israel has long denied accusations that it is hindering the distribution of urgently needed food aid in Gaza, which it has besieged in a war since October, saying the problem is caused by international aid groups' inability to get it to those in need. Despite coordinating movements with the Israeli military, the convoy was hit as it was leaving its Deir al-Balah warehouse after unloading more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea, WCK said. "This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war," said Erin Gore, chief executive of World Central Kitchen. "This is unforgivable." In Cyprus, officials said seaborne aid for Gaza civilians was returning to the eastern Mediterranean island following the killing of the WCK workers, after the US-based charity said it would pause work in the enclave. The United Arab Emirates, which had been the main financier for WCK's aid efforts through the maritime corridor, said it was pausing such shipments from Cyprus pending further safety guarantees from Israel and a full investigation. INCREASING ISRAELI ISOLATION Australia, Britain and Poland, countries which have generally been friendly towards Israel, all demanded action to protect aid workers, underlining Netanyahu's increasing diplomatic isolation over the situation in Gaza. At least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 triggered Israel's assault on the Hamas-ruled enclave, and the deaths of the WCK staffers were "the inevitable result of the way this war is currently being conducted", UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. Asked by reporters what the UN would say to the Israeli government over the airstrike, he said, "The message is: Let humanitarian workers do their job." Israel has been under rising international pressure to alleviate severe hunger in Gaza, which has been shattered by Israel's offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Much of the densely populated territory has been laid waste and most of its 2.3 million population displaced. The United Nations and other international groups have accused Israel of hindering aid distribution with bureaucratic obstacles and failing to ensure the security of food convoys, underlined by a disaster on February 29, in which around 100 people were killed as they awaited an aid delivery. Hamas, Gaza's dominant group, has said the main problem with aid distribution is Israeli targeting of aid workers. After the latest incident, it issued a statement saying the attack aimed to terrorise workers of international humanitarian agencies, deterring them from their missions. Also Read | ‘Such accidents happen in wartime’: Netanyahu on death of aid workers in Gaza; released from hospital Andres, who started WCK in 2010 by sending cooks and food to Haiti after an earthquake, said he was heartbroken and grieving for the families and friends of those who died in the airstrike. "The Israeli government needs to stop this indiscriminate killing. It needs to stop restricting humanitarian aid, stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon," he said. Video obtained by Reuters showed a large hole in the roof of a four-wheel-drive WCK vehicle and its burned and torn interior, as well as paramedics moving bodies into a hospital and displaying the passports of three of those killed. Conditions in Gaza remain extremely precarious with fighting going on in several areas on Tuesday and 71 people killed in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours, according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel says airstrike unintentionally killed aid workers in Gaza, allies demand explanations

In a video message shared on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted&nbsp;that Israeli&nbsp;forces carried out the strike that took lives of seven&nbsp;World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza. The message came as he was discharged&nbsp;from Hadassah Medical Center-Ein Kerem in Jerusalem.

“Unfortunately, yesterday there was a tragic incident in which our forces accidentally struck innocent people in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said adding that Israel will do everything it can to ensure an incident like that doesn’t happen again.

Netanyahu is reported to be in good condition after&nbsp;he underwent a successful hernia operation on Sunday (March 31) night.&nbsp;“The prime minister’s condition is excellent, and we are discharging him in a state in which he is fully capable of continuing with his work,” Prof. Alon Pikarsky, who headed the team that performed the surgery told The Times of Israel.

"I am now being released from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. It became my office in the last day, we continued to operate from here as well," the official account of the Prime Minister's Office in Hebrew wrote on X.

Netanyahu expresses&nbsp;regret at&nbsp;deaths of World Central Kitchen workers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret at the deaths of seven workers for the World Central Kitchen&nbsp;in Gaza, calling the incident unfortunate and unplanned.&nbsp;“Our forces unintentionally hit innocent people in the Gaza Strip,”&nbsp;Netanyahu said in a video released on X.&nbsp;

"This happens in wartime. We are thoroughly looking into it, are in contact with the governments (of the foreigners among the dead) and will do everything to ensure it does not happen again," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

On April 02,&nbsp;the Israel Defense Forces launched an independent probe into the attack that killed aid workers with World Central Kitchen in Gaza.&nbsp;World Central Kitchen blamed IDF for the strike. World Central Kitchen claimed that IDF was aware of their location because they were coordinating their movements with IDF. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

In a video message shared on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israeli forces carried out the strike that took lives of seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.

In a video message shared on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israeli forces carried out the strike that took lives of seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza. The message came as he was discharged from Hadassah Medical Center-Ein Kerem in Jerusalem. “Unfortunately, yesterday there was a tragic incident in which our forces accidentally struck innocent people in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said adding that Israel will do everything it can to ensure an incident like that doesn’t happen again. Netanyahu is reported to be in good condition after he underwent a successful hernia operation on Sunday (March 31) night. “The prime minister’s condition is excellent, and we are discharging him in a state in which he is fully capable of continuing with his work,” Prof. Alon Pikarsky, who headed the team that performed the surgery told The Times of Israel. "I am now being released from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. It became my office in the last day, we continued to operate from here as well," the official account of the Prime Minister's Office in Hebrew wrote on X. Netanyahu expresses regret at deaths of World Central Kitchen workers Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret at the deaths of seven workers for the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, calling the incident unfortunate and unplanned. “Our forces unintentionally hit innocent people in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said in a video released on X. "This happens in wartime. We are thoroughly looking into it, are in contact with the governments (of the foreigners among the dead) and will do everything to ensure it does not happen again," Netanyahu said in a video statement. On April 02, the Israel Defense Forces launched an independent probe into the attack that killed aid workers with World Central Kitchen in Gaza. World Central Kitchen blamed IDF for the strike. World Central Kitchen claimed that IDF was aware of their location because they were coordinating their movements with IDF. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Such accidents happen in wartime’: Netanyahu on death of aid workers in Gaza; released from hospital

Kyiv, on Sunday (September 10) blamed Russia for the death of two aid workers, one Canadian and the other Spanish, in eastern Ukraine. It was previously reported that Russian shelling hit a van which was carrying a team of four people working with a Ukrainian non-governmental organisation near the war-battered city of Bakhmut.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the aid workers’ death?</h2>

Kyiv accused Moscow’s troops of killing Emma Igual, a Spanish citizen, and Anthony Ihnat, a Canadian citizen, both working for the NGO Road to Relief. They said two German citizens working for the aid group had also been injured after the Russian shelling in the eastern Donetsk region.

The organisation on its Instagram page said that the volunteers were helping evacuate the wounded from the front-line areas and were trapped inside the van as it flipped over and caught fire after being struck by shells near the two of Chasiv Yar.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-barrage-of-drone-attacks-on-kyiv-overnight-634310">Russia deploys 32 kamikaze drones in attack on Kyiv, 25 intercepted</a>

The other two volunteers were identified as German medical volunteer Ruben Mawick and Swedish volunteer Johan Mathias Thyr, who were seriously wounded, according to the organisation.&nbsp;

At the time, they also said that the organisation was unable to find the van’s fourth passenger, Igual. The death of the 32-year-old Spanish citizen, who was also the organisation’s director, was confirmed by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.&nbsp;

“Unfortunately, I can confirm a missile hit a vehicle in which this Spanish worker was travelling who was working for a humanitarian NGO in Ukraine. We have verbal confirmation of her death,” said Albares, during a press conference in New Delhi where he was in the midst of attending the G20 Summit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ukraine-war-g20-leaders-call-for-upholding-territorial-integrity-sovereignty-634125">Ukraine war: G20 leaders call for upholding territorial integrity, sovereignty of nations</a>

<h2>‘A painful, irreparable loss’: Kyiv</h2>

The Ukrainian officials called the deaths of the two volunteers, “a painful, irreparable loss” and said that the aid workers had dedicated themselves to limiting the harm to civilians caught in the conflict. The volunteers also carried out evacuations and distributed humanitarian relief to those affected, said the officials in Kyiv.&nbsp;

According to the aid organisation, the volunteers were on their way to assess the needs of civilians on the outskirts of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian city that witnessed some of the longest and bloodiest battles before it was occupied by Russian forces back in May.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-didnt-expect-that-russias-lavrov-about-g20-leaders-declaration-634570">‘We didn’t expect that…’: Russia’s Lavrov about G20 Leaders’ declaration</a> 
 
Earlier this year, 33-year-old United States medic Pete Reed was killed near Bakhmut when his evacuation vehicle was hit by a missile, back in February. In May, AFP video journalist Arman Soldin was killed in Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut by missile fire.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Kyiv, on Sunday (September 10) blamed Russia for the death of two aid workers, one Canadian and the other Spanish, in eastern Ukraine. It was previously reported that Russian shelling hit a van which was carrying a team of four people working with a Ukrainian non-governmental organisation near the war-battered city of Bakhmut.

Kyiv, on Sunday (September 10) blamed Russia for the death of two aid workers, one Canadian and the other Spanish, in eastern Ukraine. It was previously reported that Russian shelling hit a van which was carrying a team of four people working with a Ukrainian non-governmental organisation near the war-battered city of Bakhmut. What do we know about the aid workers’ death? Kyiv accused Moscow’s troops of killing Emma Igual, a Spanish citizen, and Anthony Ihnat, a Canadian citizen, both working for the NGO Road to Relief. They said two German citizens working for the aid group had also been injured after the Russian shelling in the eastern Donetsk region. The organisation on its Instagram page said that the volunteers were helping evacuate the wounded from the front-line areas and were trapped inside the van as it flipped over and caught fire after being struck by shells near the two of Chasiv Yar. ALSO READ | Russia deploys 32 kamikaze drones in attack on Kyiv, 25 intercepted The other two volunteers were identified as German medical volunteer Ruben Mawick and Swedish volunteer Johan Mathias Thyr, who were seriously wounded, according to the organisation. At the time, they also said that the organisation was unable to find the van’s fourth passenger, Igual. The death of the 32-year-old Spanish citizen, who was also the organisation’s director, was confirmed by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. “Unfortunately, I can confirm a missile hit a vehicle in which this Spanish worker was travelling who was working for a humanitarian NGO in Ukraine. We have verbal confirmation of her death,” said Albares, during a press conference in New Delhi where he was in the midst of attending the G20 Summit. ALSO READ | Ukraine war: G20 leaders call for upholding territorial integrity, sovereignty of nations ‘A painful, irreparable loss’: Kyiv The Ukrainian officials called the deaths of the two volunteers, “a painful, irreparable loss” and said that the aid workers had dedicated themselves to limiting the harm to civilians caught in the conflict. The volunteers also carried out evacuations and distributed humanitarian relief to those affected, said the officials in Kyiv. According to the aid organisation, the volunteers were on their way to assess the needs of civilians on the outskirts of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian city that witnessed some of the longest and bloodiest battles before it was occupied by Russian forces back in May. ALSO READ | ‘We didn’t expect that…’: Russia’s Lavrov about G20 Leaders’ declaration Earlier this year, 33-year-old United States medic Pete Reed was killed near Bakhmut when his evacuation vehicle was hit by a missile, back in February. In May, AFP video journalist Arman Soldin was killed in Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut by missile fire. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine blames Russia for deaths of Spanish and Canadian foreign aid workers

A senior UN official was informed by the Taliban ministers that they will probably sketch new guidelines to permit women in Afghanistan to work in a few humanitarian operations.&nbsp;While speaking to the BBC, Martin Griffiths said that he had received "encouraging responses" from various Taliban ministers while holding talks with them in Kabul, even though the government has not yet reversed the ban imposed on Afghan women working in NGOs.&nbsp;

Since the women in Afghanistan play an important role in delivering aid, concerns have&nbsp; been raised that the ban is endangering the country's life-saving humanitarian operations.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-freezing-cold-temperatures-kills-at-least-124-people-taliban-confirms-555824">Afghanistan: Freezing cold has killed at least 124 people, confirm Taliban</a>

"It's worth remembering that, this year, Afghanistan is the biggest humanitarian aid programme in the world ever," said UN's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Griffiths in Kabul.

Griffiths held back-to-back meetings with senior leaders of the Taliban government in Kabul and discussed the recent ban imposed on women in Afghanistan from working with NGOs.

"If women do not work in humanitarian operations, we do not reach, we do not count, the women and girls we need to listen to. In all humanitarian operations around the world, women and girls are the most vulnerable,” Griffiths said.&nbsp;

Hinting at positive development in future, he said that it looked like the Taliban ministers are “listening” and that “they told me they will be issuing new guidelines in due course which I hope will help us reinforce the role of women".

He also highlighted "a consistent pattern of Taliban leaders presenting us with exceptions, exemptions, and authorisations for women to work".&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Dog honoured for sniffing out Taliban bombs

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The Taliban government, which came to power in August 2021, had last month imposed a ban on women aid workers after banning girls from studying in university and high school in March.&nbsp;

Griffiths said that the operations of the United Nations would continue in Afghanistan, however, they are facing the concern of international donors not willing to commit big financial cost of aid which is approximately $4.6 billion a year.

"I lose sleep about this, I really do," he said, adding that, in the coming weeks, he would hold talks with donors to make them understand why Afghanistan requires help during the humanitarian crisis as 28 million people require aid and around 6 million are on the verge of famine.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A senior UN official was informed by the Taliban ministers that they will probably sketch new guidelines to permit women in Afghanistan to work in a few humanitarian operations.

A senior UN official was informed by the Taliban ministers that they will probably sketch new guidelines to permit women in Afghanistan to work in a few humanitarian operations. While speaking to the BBC, Martin Griffiths said that he had received "encouraging responses" from various Taliban ministers while holding talks with them in Kabul, even though the government has not yet reversed the ban imposed on Afghan women working in NGOs. Since the women in Afghanistan play an important role in delivering aid, concerns have been raised that the ban is endangering the country's life-saving humanitarian operations. ALSO READ | Afghanistan: Freezing cold has killed at least 124 people, confirm Taliban "It's worth remembering that, this year, Afghanistan is the biggest humanitarian aid programme in the world ever," said UN's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Griffiths in Kabul. Griffiths held back-to-back meetings with senior leaders of the Taliban government in Kabul and discussed the recent ban imposed on women in Afghanistan from working with NGOs. "If women do not work in humanitarian operations, we do not reach, we do not count, the women and girls we need to listen to. In all humanitarian operations around the world, women and girls are the most vulnerable,” Griffiths said. Hinting at positive development in future, he said that it looked like the Taliban ministers are “listening” and that “they told me they will be issuing new guidelines in due course which I hope will help us reinforce the role of women". He also highlighted "a consistent pattern of Taliban leaders presenting us with exceptions, exemptions, and authorisations for women to work". WATCH | Gravitas: Dog honoured for sniffing out Taliban bombs The Taliban government, which came to power in August 2021, had last month imposed a ban on women aid workers after banning girls from studying in university and high school in March. Griffiths said that the operations of the United Nations would continue in Afghanistan, however, they are facing the concern of international donors not willing to commit big financial cost of aid which is approximately $4.6 billion a year. "I lose sleep about this, I really do," he said, adding that, in the coming weeks, he would hold talks with donors to make them understand why Afghanistan requires help during the humanitarian crisis as 28 million people require aid and around 6 million are on the verge of famine. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Taliban to draw fresh guidelines for allowing Afghan women in aid work, says UN official

Several aid workers and journalists kidnapped in Syria by a group of British Islamic State terrorists were forced to fight each other until they passed out, a&nbsp;US court was told during a hearing.

Between 2012 and 2015, a group of three British men known as “the Beatles”, took more than 20 westerners hostage under IS’s reign of terror. Prosecutors allege that El Shafee Elshiekh, who currently is on trial in Virginia, US, was the member nicknamed as Ringo by the hostages.

Federico Motka, an Italian-born aid worker, who grew up in UK, told the federal courthouse that he and David Haines, a British fellow aid worker, were forced to fight John Cantlie, an American journalist James Foley and a British war correspondent and photographer, in a “royal rumble” organised by the militant group.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-bashar-al-assad-visits-uae-in-first-trip-to-arab-state-since-2011-463729">Syria's Bashar al-Assad visits UAE in first trip to Arab state since 2011</a>

“They were super excited about it,” Motka, describing 14 months of brutality at the hands of his IS kidnappers, told the court on Thursday. “We were so weak and shattered we could barely lift our arms.”

He further added that the trio humiliated them even more by mocking their forced fight, the Daily Telegraph reported. According to the Associated Press, during the summer of 2013, the hostages were told that the losers of the fight were being held captive at a facility known as “the box” that would be waterboarded.

Motka, in 2013, was surveying the needs of refugee camps, when he and Haines were captured.

He is the first surveying captive to testify at Elsheikh’s trial.

“They said I was a posh wanker because I went to boarding school,” Motka testified. “They said I was arrogant, and they were going to take me down a peg.”

When the judge stepped in to ask what the phrase “posh wanker” meant, there was a moment of uncomfortable laughter, forcing Motka to explain the term’s meaning.

He further told all the things that happened with them, from playing games with them, to giving them dog names to which they were supposed to respond immediately, made them wear orange jumpsuits to replicate the “conditions to the detainees at Guantánamo Bay”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-promises-to-pay-syrian-army-fighters-1100-to-fight-in-ukraine-watchdog-462529">Russia promises to pay Syrian army fighters $1,100 to fight in Ukraine: Watchdog</a>

The United States and United Kingdom did not pay for the release of hostages, which further led to the execution of Haines, British aid worker Alan Henning and four other Americans named in Elsheikh’s indictment – Foley, Steven Sotloff, Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig. He is accused of being involved in their murders.

In opening statements, the prosecutors mentioned three British citizens - Elsheikh, his long-term friend Alenxanda Kotey and Mohammed Emwazi, who is also known as “Jihadi John,” who frequently carried out the job of executioner.

Mohammed Emwazi was killed in a drone strike, while Kotey and Elsheikh were transferred to Virginia to face trials.

Lat year, Kotey pleaded guilty in a plea bargain.

The trials still continue as Elshiekh’s defence lawyer Edward MacMahon said there was “no dispute” about the horror the hostages’ fate.

MacMahon&nbsp;further said, there was no doubt that Elsheikh has gone to Syria to fight the IS, and there is no evidence to support that he was one of the members of “Beatles.”

Watch |&nbsp;The West Asia Post: Syria's Assad returns to the world stage

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Several aid workers and journalists kidnapped in Syria by a group of British Islamic State terrorists were forced to fight each other until they passed out, a US court was told during a hearing.

Several aid workers and journalists kidnapped in Syria by a group of British Islamic State terrorists were forced to fight each other until they passed out, a US court was told during a hearing. Between 2012 and 2015, a group of three British men known as “the Beatles”, took more than 20 westerners hostage under IS’s reign of terror. Prosecutors allege that El Shafee Elshiekh, who currently is on trial in Virginia, US, was the member nicknamed as Ringo by the hostages. Federico Motka, an Italian-born aid worker, who grew up in UK, told the federal courthouse that he and David Haines, a British fellow aid worker, were forced to fight John Cantlie, an American journalist James Foley and a British war correspondent and photographer, in a “royal rumble” organised by the militant group. Also read | Syria's Bashar al-Assad visits UAE in first trip to Arab state since 2011 “They were super excited about it,” Motka, describing 14 months of brutality at the hands of his IS kidnappers, told the court on Thursday. “We were so weak and shattered we could barely lift our arms.” He further added that the trio humiliated them even more by mocking their forced fight, the Daily Telegraph reported. According to the Associated Press, during the summer of 2013, the hostages were told that the losers of the fight were being held captive at a facility known as “the box” that would be waterboarded. Motka, in 2013, was surveying the needs of refugee camps, when he and Haines were captured. He is the first surveying captive to testify at Elsheikh’s trial. “They said I was a posh wanker because I went to boarding school,” Motka testified. “They said I was arrogant, and they were going to take me down a peg.” When the judge stepped in to ask what the phrase “posh wanker” meant, there was a moment of uncomfortable laughter, forcing Motka to explain the term’s meaning. He further told all the things that happened with them, from playing games with them, to giving them dog names to which they were supposed to respond immediately, made them wear orange jumpsuits to replicate the “conditions to the detainees at Guantánamo Bay”. Also read | Russia promises to pay Syrian army fighters $1,100 to fight in Ukraine: Watchdog The United States and United Kingdom did not pay for the release of hostages, which further led to the execution of Haines, British aid worker Alan Henning and four other Americans named in Elsheikh’s indictment – Foley, Steven Sotloff, Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig. He is accused of being involved in their murders. In opening statements, the prosecutors mentioned three British citizens - Elsheikh, his long-term friend Alenxanda Kotey and Mohammed Emwazi, who is also known as “Jihadi John,” who frequently carried out the job of executioner. Mohammed Emwazi was killed in a drone strike, while Kotey and Elsheikh were transferred to Virginia to face trials. Lat year, Kotey pleaded guilty in a plea bargain. The trials still continue as Elshiekh’s defence lawyer Edward MacMahon said there was “no dispute” about the horror the hostages’ fate. MacMahon further said, there was no doubt that Elsheikh has gone to Syria to fight the IS, and there is no evidence to support that he was one of the members of “Beatles.” Watch | The West Asia Post: Syria's Assad returns to the world stage

Islamic States captives were forced to fight each other until they passed out, trial told

The health care system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, international aid groups warned this week, threatening to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis just as temperatures begin dropping.

Thousands of health care facilities have run out of essential medicines. Afghan doctors have not been paid in two months, with no paychecks in sight. And in recent weeks, there has been a surge of cases of measles and diarrhea, according to the World Health Organization.

For two decades, aid from the World Bank and other international donors propped up the country’s health care system, but after the Taliban seized power, they froze $600 million in health care aid.

Now, just over a month into Taliban rule, the toll is becoming clear.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-fire-shots-at-kabul-women-protesting-for-right-to-study-417115">Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study</a>

“We are deeply concerned that Afghanistan faces imminent collapse of health services and worsening hunger if aid and money do not flow into the country within weeks,” Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said at a news conference Thursday. “Afghanistan’s looming harsh winter threatens greater misery and hardships.”

The unfolding health care crisis has underscored how quickly basic services have unraveled as international donors struggle with how to dispense badly needed aid to the country under Taliban rule.

Foreign aid once made up nearly 75 per cent&nbsp;of the country’s public expenditures, according to the World Bank, but after the militants seized control on August 15, the US froze over $9 billion in the Afghan Central Bank’s American accounts, and major international funders like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund paused disbursements.

They fear that the Taliban will reimpose the brutal repression of their first reign, from 1996 to 2001. Aid groups and foreign governments have talked of finding a way to funnel money and supplies into Afghanistan without placing them in Taliban hands, but until then, ordinary Afghans are paying a heavy price.

“There needs to be some solution to the financial flows into Afghanistan to ensure that at least salaries can be paid, and that essential supplies — power and water being two of them — can be procured,” Matheou said Thursday.

Last week, the United States cleared the way for some aid to flow to Afghanistan, issuing two general licenses to allow US&nbsp;government and certain international organisations like the United Nations to engage with the Taliban to provide humanitarian assistance.

That should ease the flow of agricultural goods, medicines and other critical resources while maintaining economic sanctions against the Taliban.

“Treasury is committed to facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and other activities that support their basic human needs,” Andrea Gacki, director of the US&nbsp;Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement.

But with winter rapidly approaching, humanitarian organisations have begun making urgent appeals to international donors.

“Over the past 20 years, significant health gains have been made in Afghanistan in reducing maternal and child mortality, to end polio and more.” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said last week. “Those gains are now at severe risk.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is looking for $38 million to fund health care and other emergency services across Afghanistan. And on Wednesday, the U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, appealed to donors to help the organisation hit its goal of $606 million to pay for humanitarian programs through the end of the year. So far, that appeal is only 22 per cent&nbsp;funded.

Still, the international community remains deeply divided over the issue of providing aid to the Taliban-run government.

Some countries and aid organisations have demanded that the new government meet certain conditions — like guaranteeing women’s rights — in return for aid. Others have warned that making aid conditional risks plunging the country into a humanitarian disaster.

More than half a million Afghans were driven from their homes during the Taliban’s four-month military campaign this summer, and many of them are still living in makeshift camps. A drought that has enveloped much of the country has caused a dire food shortage, according to the World Food Program. And the country faces a major economic crisis with the Taliban cut off from both international banking systems and the foreign aid that propped up the previous government.

Around 18 million Afghans, almost half the population, are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned that two-thirds of the roughly 2,300 health care facilities it supports have run out of essential medicines. Only about 400 are now functioning.

Those facilities, the backbone of the country’s health care system, are part of a $600 million project administered by the World Bank and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the European Union and others.

An additional 2,500 health facilities are also no longer working, Matheou said. More than 20,000 health workers are out of work, either because the facilities closed or their salaries were frozen.

That has stoked fears about a surge in deaths from basic medical ailments, and of a crippling brain drain as doctors look for work elsewhere or leave the country.

“Our doctors have not received their salaries for three months now,” said Dr. Mohammad Farid Rasouli, who works in the anesthesia ward at Aliabad Hospital in Kabul. For now, the hospital’s medical staff has been reporting to work each day, he said, but “if we don’t receive our salaries, there is a possibility we will leave our duties.”

Afghans across the country are feeling the pressure.

“I have a head injury and kidney problems, but don’t have money to go see the doctor,” said Noor Muhammad, 55. “If I don’t pay, no one is going to help me.”

The health care system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, international aid groups warned this week, threatening to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis just as temperatures begin dropping.

The health care system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, international aid groups warned this week, threatening to deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis just as temperatures begin dropping. Thousands of health care facilities have run out of essential medicines. Afghan doctors have not been paid in two months, with no paychecks in sight. And in recent weeks, there has been a surge of cases of measles and diarrhea, according to the World Health Organization. For two decades, aid from the World Bank and other international donors propped up the country’s health care system, but after the Taliban seized power, they froze $600 million in health care aid. Now, just over a month into Taliban rule, the toll is becoming clear. Also read | Watch: Taliban fire shots at Kabul women protesting for right to study “We are deeply concerned that Afghanistan faces imminent collapse of health services and worsening hunger if aid and money do not flow into the country within weeks,” Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said at a news conference Thursday. “Afghanistan’s looming harsh winter threatens greater misery and hardships.” The unfolding health care crisis has underscored how quickly basic services have unraveled as international donors struggle with how to dispense badly needed aid to the country under Taliban rule. Foreign aid once made up nearly 75 per cent of the country’s public expenditures, according to the World Bank, but after the militants seized control on August 15, the US froze over $9 billion in the Afghan Central Bank’s American accounts, and major international funders like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund paused disbursements. They fear that the Taliban will reimpose the brutal repression of their first reign, from 1996 to 2001. Aid groups and foreign governments have talked of finding a way to funnel money and supplies into Afghanistan without placing them in Taliban hands, but until then, ordinary Afghans are paying a heavy price. “There needs to be some solution to the financial flows into Afghanistan to ensure that at least salaries can be paid, and that essential supplies — power and water being two of them — can be procured,” Matheou said Thursday. Last week, the United States cleared the way for some aid to flow to Afghanistan, issuing two general licenses to allow US government and certain international organisations like the United Nations to engage with the Taliban to provide humanitarian assistance. That should ease the flow of agricultural goods, medicines and other critical resources while maintaining economic sanctions against the Taliban. “Treasury is committed to facilitating the flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and other activities that support their basic human needs,” Andrea Gacki, director of the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement. But with winter rapidly approaching, humanitarian organisations have begun making urgent appeals to international donors. “Over the past 20 years, significant health gains have been made in Afghanistan in reducing maternal and child mortality, to end polio and more.” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said last week. “Those gains are now at severe risk.” The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is looking for $38 million to fund health care and other emergency services across Afghanistan. And on Wednesday, the U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, appealed to donors to help the organisation hit its goal of $606 million to pay for humanitarian programs through the end of the year. So far, that appeal is only 22 per cent funded. Still, the international community remains deeply divided over the issue of providing aid to the Taliban-run government. Some countries and aid organisations have demanded that the new government meet certain conditions — like guaranteeing women’s rights — in return for aid. Others have warned that making aid conditional risks plunging the country into a humanitarian disaster. More than half a million Afghans were driven from their homes during the Taliban’s four-month military campaign this summer, and many of them are still living in makeshift camps. A drought that has enveloped much of the country has caused a dire food shortage, according to the World Food Program. And the country faces a major economic crisis with the Taliban cut off from both international banking systems and the foreign aid that propped up the previous government. Around 18 million Afghans, almost half the population, are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned that two-thirds of the roughly 2,300 health care facilities it supports have run out of essential medicines. Only about 400 are now functioning. Those facilities, the backbone of the country’s health care system, are part of a $600 million project administered by the World Bank and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the European Union and others. An additional 2,500 health facilities are also no longer working, Matheou said. More than 20,000 health workers are out of work, either because the facilities closed or their salaries were frozen. That has stoked fears about a surge in deaths from basic medical ailments, and of a crippling brain drain as doctors look for work elsewhere or leave the country. “Our doctors have not received their salaries for three months now,” said Dr. Mohammad Farid Rasouli, who works in the anesthesia ward at Aliabad Hospital in Kabul. For now, the hospital’s medical staff has been reporting to work each day, he said, but “if we don’t receive our salaries, there is a possibility we will leave our duties.” Afghans across the country are feeling the pressure. “I have a head injury and kidney problems, but don’t have money to go see the doctor,” said Noor Muhammad, 55. “If I don’t pay, no one is going to help me.”

As need in Afghanistan grows dire, aid groups plead for help

Even as US and NATO forces and almost the entire Western diplomatic corps packed up and fled the Afghan capital last month as the Taliban seized control, a handful of international aid directors made a decision: They were staying put.

They are now the most visible representatives of the decadeslong Western development mission in Afghanistan, and along with United Nations humanitarian agencies, are the people on the ground negotiating with the Taliban on working conditions for thousands of Afghan employees.

Seven out of eight of the directors who stayed to lead their organisations’ aid efforts in Afghanistan are women.

“There aren’t a lot of us here,” said one of them. “There’s a lot of uncertainty.” She, like others, asked not to be named while relations with the Taliban remain so tentative.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-ex-president-ghani-apologises-for-leaving-abruptly-denies-taking-millions-of-cash-with-him-411686">Ghani apologises for leaving 'abruptly', denies taking 'millions of cash'</a>

For the past 20 years, military and diplomatic forces from all over the world took over central Kabul, filling a green zone beside the presidential palace with embassies, military bases and residences. But long before they came, nongovernmental development organisations were working to alleviate poverty and help develop essential health and educational services in Afghanistan.

Most of them were careful to distance themselves from the US-led military operations after they began in 2001. They already had experience working with the Taliban, when it ruled the country in the late 1990s and as it gained control of rural districts in recent months and years.

Now, at a time when Afghanistan’s aid needs are more desperate than ever, the aid organisations’ diplomatic skills are being put to the test as perhaps never before.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-sports-for-afghan-women-as-it-exposes-their-body-taliban-411629">No sports for Afghan women, as it exposes their body: Taliban</a>

One of the world’s poorest countries, Afghanistan was already in serious need before the Taliban takeover, with 3.5 million people internally displaced and 18 million people dependent on humanitarian assistance in a country of about 38 million. But aid groups worry about being too quick to embrace an organisation like the Taliban with a history of brutality.

“We need to engage, because this is a very important time to engage and try to influence,” said Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN refugee agency. “But I think we need to reserve a bit our judgment.”

With some aid groups having as many as 1,500 local staff members employed around the country in critical fields such as health, education and agriculture, the larger organisations say they never contemplated packing up or closing down. Instead, they were left to watch as thousands who had worked in the government or with foreign organisations rushed to the Kabul airport to catch evacuation flights.

Also&nbsp;watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-education-minister-says-phd-and-masters-degrees-worthless-mullahs-greatest-without-them-411612">PhD, Master's degrees worthless; mullahs greatest without them —Taliban</a>

“It’s like going through the stages of grief,” one country director said of the takeover by the Taliban on Aug. 15. “When they entered Kabul, I didn’t sleep or eat anything for three days. I was numb. I was on the line with everybody, with staff around the clock.”

After some militants occupied her office, she recalled, she had to manage a tense confrontation as another group dispatched by the Taliban commissioner for foreign assistance wrested it back. Then came the ordeal of evacuating her international staff members through the chaos at the airport.

Some of the organisation’s Afghan staff members chose to leave, too, but the vast majority have stayed, in large part because there is no longer a way out.

“I think the point that I accepted I wasn’t going to get out, was the point where I could sleep again,” the country director said. “My staff need me. I think I’ll be fine.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-dialogues-pakistans-role-in-the-afghanistan-crisis-411701">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-dialogues-pakistans-role-in-the-afghanistan-crisis-411701/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The most immediate concerns have been to prevent looting of their offices and storehouses and to protect local staff members. The Taliban have asked humanitarian organisations to keep working and assured them that they would provide security, even handing out a phone number to call if armed men pay a visit.

Yet Taliban members have taken over the compound of at least one nonprofit organisation and looted equipment and vehicles from others, several aid directors said. And fighters from the powerful Haqqani network have taken over the large campus of the American University of Afghanistan, a proud flagship of US&nbsp;investment in higher education for Afghans.

Besides the danger of so many armed groups, and the threat of the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate, which claimed responsibility for a devastating suicide bombing at the airport, there is the growing problem of hunger. Last week, a top UN&nbsp;humanitarian official in Afghanistan warned that the organisation’s supply of food aid was dwindling and would run out by the end of the month.

And buying food has become difficult for many, impossible for some.

Salaries across the government, including in the health and education sectors, have been halted, a result of a decision by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to freeze funding after the government of President Ashraf Ghani collapsed and the Taliban took over. The Central Bank’s assets were also frozen, leading banks to close and limit access to cash. For day laborers, there is no work to be had.

Outside the capital, the attitudes of Afghanistan’s new rulers vary. That has left aid organisations able to resume their usual activities in only four of the country’s 34 provinces.

In some places, everything has been suspended, from schools and health clinics to public offices and businesses. In at least six provinces, women have not been allowed to resume work, according to one of the country directors tracking the situation countrywide.

In some areas, the Taliban have visited nonprofit organisations demanding lists of staff members and assets, information on the organisation’s budget and procurement contracts. They also announced that they were imposing restrictions on recruitment. Those actions are at odds with the reassurances offered by the Taliban leadership, and raise concerns about tougher controls ahead.

“They desperately need somebody to do something for the Afghan people,” Grandi, the UN&nbsp;refugee chief, said from his headquarters in Geneva, adding, “We can help a lot the people, and we must at this point.”

Even as US and NATO forces and almost the entire Western diplomatic corps packed up and fled the Afghan capital last month as the Taliban seized control, a handful of international aid directors made a decision: They were staying put.

Even as US and NATO forces and almost the entire Western diplomatic corps packed up and fled the Afghan capital last month as the Taliban seized control, a handful of international aid directors made a decision: They were staying put. They are now the most visible representatives of the decadeslong Western development mission in Afghanistan, and along with United Nations humanitarian agencies, are the people on the ground negotiating with the Taliban on working conditions for thousands of Afghan employees. Seven out of eight of the directors who stayed to lead their organisations’ aid efforts in Afghanistan are women. “There aren’t a lot of us here,” said one of them. “There’s a lot of uncertainty.” She, like others, asked not to be named while relations with the Taliban remain so tentative. Also read | Ghani apologises for leaving 'abruptly', denies taking 'millions of cash' For the past 20 years, military and diplomatic forces from all over the world took over central Kabul, filling a green zone beside the presidential palace with embassies, military bases and residences. But long before they came, nongovernmental development organisations were working to alleviate poverty and help develop essential health and educational services in Afghanistan. Most of them were careful to distance themselves from the US-led military operations after they began in 2001. They already had experience working with the Taliban, when it ruled the country in the late 1990s and as it gained control of rural districts in recent months and years. Now, at a time when Afghanistan’s aid needs are more desperate than ever, the aid organisations’ diplomatic skills are being put to the test as perhaps never before. Also read | No sports for Afghan women, as it exposes their body: Taliban One of the world’s poorest countries, Afghanistan was already in serious need before the Taliban takeover, with 3.5 million people internally displaced and 18 million people dependent on humanitarian assistance in a country of about 38 million. But aid groups worry about being too quick to embrace an organisation like the Taliban with a history of brutality. “We need to engage, because this is a very important time to engage and try to influence,” said Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN refugee agency. “But I think we need to reserve a bit our judgment.” With some aid groups having as many as 1,500 local staff members employed around the country in critical fields such as health, education and agriculture, the larger organisations say they never contemplated packing up or closing down. Instead, they were left to watch as thousands who had worked in the government or with foreign organisations rushed to the Kabul airport to catch evacuation flights. Also watch | PhD, Master's degrees worthless; mullahs greatest without them —Taliban “It’s like going through the stages of grief,” one country director said of the takeover by the Taliban on Aug. 15. “When they entered Kabul, I didn’t sleep or eat anything for three days. I was numb. I was on the line with everybody, with staff around the clock.” After some militants occupied her office, she recalled, she had to manage a tense confrontation as another group dispatched by the Taliban commissioner for foreign assistance wrested it back. Then came the ordeal of evacuating her international staff members through the chaos at the airport. Some of the organisation’s Afghan staff members chose to leave, too, but the vast majority have stayed, in large part because there is no longer a way out. “I think the point that I accepted I wasn’t going to get out, was the point where I could sleep again,” the country director said. “My staff need me. I think I’ll be fine.” WATCH | The most immediate concerns have been to prevent looting of their offices and storehouses and to protect local staff members. The Taliban have asked humanitarian organisations to keep working and assured them that they would provide security, even handing out a phone number to call if armed men pay a visit. Yet Taliban members have taken over the compound of at least one nonprofit organisation and looted equipment and vehicles from others, several aid directors said. And fighters from the powerful Haqqani network have taken over the large campus of the American University of Afghanistan, a proud flagship of US investment in higher education for Afghans. Besides the danger of so many armed groups, and the threat of the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate, which claimed responsibility for a devastating suicide bombing at the airport, there is the growing problem of hunger. Last week, a top UN humanitarian official in Afghanistan warned that the organisation’s supply of food aid was dwindling and would run out by the end of the month. And buying food has become difficult for many, impossible for some. Salaries across the government, including in the health and education sectors, have been halted, a result of a decision by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to freeze funding after the government of President Ashraf Ghani collapsed and the Taliban took over. The Central Bank’s assets were also frozen, leading banks to close and limit access to cash. For day laborers, there is no work to be had. Outside the capital, the attitudes of Afghanistan’s new rulers vary. That has left aid organisations able to resume their usual activities in only four of the country’s 34 provinces. In some places, everything has been suspended, from schools and health clinics to public offices and businesses. In at least six provinces, women have not been allowed to resume work, according to one of the country directors tracking the situation countrywide. In some areas, the Taliban have visited nonprofit organisations demanding lists of staff members and assets, information on the organisation’s budget and procurement contracts. They also announced that they were imposing restrictions on recruitment. Those actions are at odds with the reassurances offered by the Taliban leadership, and raise concerns about tougher controls ahead. “They desperately need somebody to do something for the Afghan people,” Grandi, the UN refugee chief, said from his headquarters in Geneva, adding, “We can help a lot the people, and we must at this point.”

Aid workers staying in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan tread a tricky path

In 2019, the number of attacks against aid workers surpassed all previous records. 277 separate incidents took place around the world.

483 relief workers were attacked. An additional 125 were killed, 234 wounded and 124 kidnapped, inducting&nbsp;an 18 per cent increase in the number of victims compared to 2018.

Aid workers not only provide food and medicine to people in need around the world, but also perform their duties in environments not conducive for work.

Each year, the United Nations marks August 19 in their honour. It's called the World Humanitarian Day.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/a-record-number-of-aid-workers-were-murdered-in-2019-across-the-globe-321193" hreflang="en">A record number of aid workers were murdered in 2019 across the globe</a>

2020 has forced humanitarian workers into a war-like situation. The pandemic continues to rage, and conflict areas are not cooling down.

Red Cross has reported more than 600 attacks on health workers during the pandemic. There were reported mostly in Syria followed by South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, and the Central African Republic, which are all facing political and economic crisis with armed groups locked in a civil war.

The militants attack aid convoys to exercise control over the local population, by deciding who gets what.&nbsp;They also capture vehicles, relief material, and cash.&nbsp;Additionally, they also hold aid workers to ransom.

In the recent weeks, aid workers have been killed in Niger and Cameroon.&nbsp;Over the last decade, 100 aid workers have been killed every year.

In 2019, the number of attacks against aid workers surpassed all previous records. 277 separate incidents took place around the world. 483 relief workers were attacked.

In 2019, the number of attacks against aid workers surpassed all previous records. 277 separate incidents took place around the world. 483 relief workers were attacked. An additional 125 were killed, 234 wounded and 124 kidnapped, inducting an 18 per cent increase in the number of victims compared to 2018. Aid workers not only provide food and medicine to people in need around the world, but also perform their duties in environments not conducive for work. Each year, the United Nations marks August 19 in their honour. It's called the World Humanitarian Day. Also read: A record number of aid workers were murdered in 2019 across the globe 2020 has forced humanitarian workers into a war-like situation. The pandemic continues to rage, and conflict areas are not cooling down. Red Cross has reported more than 600 attacks on health workers during the pandemic. There were reported mostly in Syria followed by South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, and the Central African Republic, which are all facing political and economic crisis with armed groups locked in a civil war. The militants attack aid convoys to exercise control over the local population, by deciding who gets what. They also capture vehicles, relief material, and cash. Additionally, they also hold aid workers to ransom. In the recent weeks, aid workers have been killed in Niger and Cameroon. Over the last decade, 100 aid workers have been killed every year.

World Humanitarian Day: 2020 and the war-like situation for aid workers

Over the last year, 277 major attacks against aid workers took place, a new research has found.

Humanitarian Outcomes, an independent humanitarian research organisation on Monday claimed that a major spike was witnessed in violent attacks against aid workers.

Killed, abducted, or wounded

At least 483 workers were killed, abducted, or wounded in 2019, marking the highest number since 1997, when the organisation started recording numbers.

"The ability to help vulnerable civilians in their hour of greatest need is a sign of civilisation; it's a right under international law," Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said while responding to the numbers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/four-environmental-activists-were-killed-every-week-in-2019-across-the-globe-316602" hreflang="en">Four environmental activists were killed every week in 2019 across the globe</a>

"But we are seeing an increasing number of colleagues killed, abducted, wounded ... If aid workers are not protected, lifelines will falter”, Egeland added.

The total number of casualties spiked, but the number of workers killed dropped from 131 in 2018 to 125 in 2019.

The organisation gathers data from public reports, aid groups, and security organisations.

Health workers at risk

A whopping 40 per cent of the fatalities were among health workers, which is the highest percentage ever recorded, as per the “Aid Worker Security Report” due to be released later this month.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/poland-warsaw-witnesses-pro-and-anti-lgbt-supporters-face-off-321156" hreflang="en">Poland: Warsaw witnesses pro and anti-LGBT supporters face off</a>&nbsp;

Syria has been named the most violent country for aid workers, with 47 attacks recorded last year. At least 36 aid workers were killed in the war-torn country.

The Democratic Republic of Congo also recorded an increase in the number of attacks on humanitarian workers. Over 50 per cent of the 27 violent attacks were against health workers, partly in response to the Ebola outbreak, asserted Humanitarian Outcomes.

Most violence against aid workers was committed by armed groups, with attacks potentially crippling the access to resources for those who need it.

Over the last year, 277 major attacks against aid workers took place, a new research has found. Humanitarian Outcomes, an independent humanitarian research organisation on Monday claimed that a major spike was witnessed in violent attacks against aid workers.

Over the last year, 277 major attacks against aid workers took place, a new research has found. Humanitarian Outcomes, an independent humanitarian research organisation on Monday claimed that a major spike was witnessed in violent attacks against aid workers. Killed, abducted, or wounded At least 483 workers were killed, abducted, or wounded in 2019, marking the highest number since 1997, when the organisation started recording numbers. "The ability to help vulnerable civilians in their hour of greatest need is a sign of civilisation; it's a right under international law," Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said while responding to the numbers. Also read: Four environmental activists were killed every week in 2019 across the globe "But we are seeing an increasing number of colleagues killed, abducted, wounded ... If aid workers are not protected, lifelines will falter”, Egeland added. The total number of casualties spiked, but the number of workers killed dropped from 131 in 2018 to 125 in 2019. The organisation gathers data from public reports, aid groups, and security organisations. Health workers at risk A whopping 40 per cent of the fatalities were among health workers, which is the highest percentage ever recorded, as per the “Aid Worker Security Report” due to be released later this month. Also see: Poland: Warsaw witnesses pro and anti-LGBT supporters face off Syria has been named the most violent country for aid workers, with 47 attacks recorded last year. At least 36 aid workers were killed in the war-torn country. The Democratic Republic of Congo also recorded an increase in the number of attacks on humanitarian workers. Over 50 per cent of the 27 violent attacks were against health workers, partly in response to the Ebola outbreak, asserted Humanitarian Outcomes. Most violence against aid workers was committed by armed groups, with attacks potentially crippling the access to resources for those who need it.

A record number of aid workers were murdered in 2019 across the globe

By Mallika Singh

Japanse physician and aid worker, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-afghans-killed-in-jalalabad-attack-japanese-doctor-wounded-266121">Tetsu Nakamura</a>, was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" />

The Japanese aid agency was shot on the right side of his chest when gunmen open fired on his car in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, said Afghan officials.&nbsp;

The doctor underwent surgery at a local hospital and was in the process of being transferred to Bagram near Kabul when he passed away at the Jalalabad airport.&nbsp;

“Sadly, Dr Nakamura has passed away from the wounds he received in the armed attack this morning,” said a spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor.

The attack on the aid worker comes a week after a grenade attack on a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-for-talks-if-united-states-lifts-sanctions-iran-266151">United Nations</a> vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in the conflict-ridden region.&nbsp;

Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October.&nbsp;

The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008.&nbsp;

Nakamura, last year claimed last year that his posting was meant to be for “five or six years” in an interview with national broadcaster NHK. “The plan was to come home when I was done.”

“We didn’t have proper facilities (for surgery and rehabilitation) but I couldn't just run away and abandon these people," he said.

There was no immediate claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-should-accept-us-proposal-for-ceasefire-afghanistan-government-265605">Taliban</a> has denied responsibility claiming to have “good relations” with organisations that “contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.”

Japan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blasts-japans-shinzo-abe-warns-of-real-ballistic-missile-265425">Shinzo Abe</a> said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful.&nbsp;

"I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo.

"He risked his life in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">dangerous environment</a> to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added.

The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work.&nbsp;

"Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said.

"The Afghan government strongly condemns the heinous and cowardly attack on Afghans' greatest friend, Dr Nakamura," said a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

"He has dedicated all his life to change the lives of Afghans."

(With inputs from agencies)

By Mallika Singh Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura, was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

By Mallika Singh Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura, was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday. The Japanese aid agency was shot on the right side of his chest when gunmen open fired on his car in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, said Afghan officials. The doctor underwent surgery at a local hospital and was in the process of being transferred to Bagram near Kabul when he passed away at the Jalalabad airport. “Sadly, Dr Nakamura has passed away from the wounds he received in the armed attack this morning,” said a spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor. The attack on the aid worker comes a week after a grenade attack on a United Nations vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in the conflict-ridden region. Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October. The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008. Nakamura, last year claimed last year that his posting was meant to be for “five or six years” in an interview with national broadcaster NHK. “The plan was to come home when I was done.” “We didn’t have proper facilities (for surgery and rehabilitation) but I couldn't just run away and abandon these people," he said. There was no immediate claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the Taliban has denied responsibility claiming to have “good relations” with organisations that “contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.” Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful. "I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo. "He risked his life in a dangerous environment to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added. The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work. "Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said. "The Afghan government strongly condemns the heinous and cowardly attack on Afghans' greatest friend, Dr Nakamura," said a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "He has dedicated all his life to change the lives of Afghans." (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese doctor and aid worker Tetsu Nakamura shot dead in Afghanistan

Aid workers faced disarray, a clamour for help and mounting anger Friday as they headed out <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-at-294-in-mozambique-after-cyclone-idai-204760">across central Mozambique</a>, struggling to help tens of thousands of people battered by one of southern Africa's most powerful storms.

A week after Tropical Cyclone Idai lashed Mozambique with winds of nearly 200 kilometres (120 miles) per hour, rescue efforts rose a gear but the situation was often chaotic.

Humanitarian agencies are racing to rescue those still trapped, feed those who have been brought to safety and protect them from potential outbreaks of malaria and cholera.

"Already, some cholera cases have been reported in (the port city of) Beira along with an increasing number of malaria infections among people trapped by the flooding," said the International Federation of Red Cross in a statement.

The mayor of Diaz Simango told AFP that cases of diarrhoeal infections had already been reported.

"We are running out of time, it is at a critical point here," UN children's agency chief Henrietta Fore told AFP after she flew into the devastated port city of Beira from New York.

Hygiene and safe drinking water are absolute priorities, she warned.

"There's stagnant water, it's not draining, decomposing bodies, lack of good hygiene and sanitation," Fore said. "We are worried about cholera, about malaria, because of the stagnant water."

World Food Programme (WFP) spokesman Gerald Bourke said the aid effort was "slow to start, (but)... is now accelerating, thankfully."

WFP declared the flood crisis a level three emergency, putting it on a par with Yemen, Syria and South Sudan.

Relief agencies said the gravity of the cyclone and scale of the flooding it unleashed had been extremely shocking.

The confirmed death toll in Mozambique and neighbouring Zimbabwe topped 550 on Friday, with 293 killed in Mozambique, and 259 in Zimbabwe, according to the UN Migration agency IOM, which said more than 120 of the dead in Zimbabwe had been washed into Mozambique.

Around 1.7 million people have been affected and hundreds are still missing.

Districts west of Beira resemble an inland lake, and thousands of people are still trapped on roof tops and on tree branches.&nbsp;

The town of Buzi situated across the estuary southwest of Beira "has reportedly disappeared, with the water as high as the palm trees" and 40 prisoners and staff still trapped on a roof, said the International Committee of the Red (ICRC).&nbsp;

"This disaster is a catastrophe," Prime Minister Carlos Antonio do Rosario told reporters in Beira. The government says there are still around 15,000 people still needing to be saved.

Anger

More than 65,000 people are already in shelters in central Mozambique and other sites are being opened.

In Dondo, near Beira, food distribution finally started on Thursday at one of 20 schools transformed into emergency shelters.&nbsp;

"Today is the first day we receive help," said survivor Marta Antonio. &nbsp;

"But they don't give it to everyone, they only give it to those who are in the rooms. But those outside receive nothing," she said.

Victims who were not housed in the centres were frustrated.

They complained that they had been forgotten and for those lining up for something to eat, the food was insufficient.

"I have four children, and they're only going to eat bread? Give me a bag of aid," demanded one man, who did not give his name.

In Beira's Samora Machel Secondary School, where President Filipe Nyusi was educated, more than 1,000 people found shelter, where many slept on the floor of an indoor basketball court.

"Everything is difficult here. I'm fighting for my children to have something to eat," said Celeste Dambo, who said that by lunchtime she had not yet eaten anything since the previous night.

On Wednesday, crowds of people looted a warehouse, taking away sacks of rice marked "China Aid."

"People have suffered for weeks here, and they are understandably worried. This is a very difficult situation, on a massive scale, the response is building, you’re going to have hiccups, (but) a lot more people are weighing in," said Bourke.

The United Nations has launched an appeal for assistance.

'Cholera and malaria'&nbsp;

Meantime the main morgue in Beira is teeming with bodies and burials are impossible because the city cemeteries are flooded, said the ICRC.

"The mortuary at the city’s main hospital is full and there are dozens of bodies that need to be removed and cared for in a dignified way," said ICRC in a statement.

"The humanitarian needs will tragically only deepen in the coming weeks," it added.&nbsp;

The mayor of Beira Daviz Simango has been helping clean up the city, driving excavator. "We are starting from zero, we have started the work," he told AFP adding "our people have suffered a lot". &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the ICRC has set up a dedicated website where missing people can be registered.&nbsp;

Aid workers faced disarray, a clamour for help and mounting anger Friday as they headed out across central Mozambique, struggling to help tens of thousands of people battered by one of southern Africa's most powerful storms.

Aid workers faced disarray, a clamour for help and mounting anger Friday as they headed out across central Mozambique, struggling to help tens of thousands of people battered by one of southern Africa's most powerful storms. A week after Tropical Cyclone Idai lashed Mozambique with winds of nearly 200 kilometres (120 miles) per hour, rescue efforts rose a gear but the situation was often chaotic. Humanitarian agencies are racing to rescue those still trapped, feed those who have been brought to safety and protect them from potential outbreaks of malaria and cholera. "Already, some cholera cases have been reported in (the port city of) Beira along with an increasing number of malaria infections among people trapped by the flooding," said the International Federation of Red Cross in a statement. The mayor of Diaz Simango told AFP that cases of diarrhoeal infections had already been reported. "We are running out of time, it is at a critical point here," UN children's agency chief Henrietta Fore told AFP after she flew into the devastated port city of Beira from New York. Hygiene and safe drinking water are absolute priorities, she warned. "There's stagnant water, it's not draining, decomposing bodies, lack of good hygiene and sanitation," Fore said. "We are worried about cholera, about malaria, because of the stagnant water." World Food Programme (WFP) spokesman Gerald Bourke said the aid effort was "slow to start, (but)... is now accelerating, thankfully." WFP declared the flood crisis a level three emergency, putting it on a par with Yemen, Syria and South Sudan. Relief agencies said the gravity of the cyclone and scale of the flooding it unleashed had been extremely shocking. The confirmed death toll in Mozambique and neighbouring Zimbabwe topped 550 on Friday, with 293 killed in Mozambique, and 259 in Zimbabwe, according to the UN Migration agency IOM, which said more than 120 of the dead in Zimbabwe had been washed into Mozambique. Around 1.7 million people have been affected and hundreds are still missing. Districts west of Beira resemble an inland lake, and thousands of people are still trapped on roof tops and on tree branches. The town of Buzi situated across the estuary southwest of Beira "has reportedly disappeared, with the water as high as the palm trees" and 40 prisoners and staff still trapped on a roof, said the International Committee of the Red (ICRC). "This disaster is a catastrophe," Prime Minister Carlos Antonio do Rosario told reporters in Beira. The government says there are still around 15,000 people still needing to be saved. Anger More than 65,000 people are already in shelters in central Mozambique and other sites are being opened. In Dondo, near Beira, food distribution finally started on Thursday at one of 20 schools transformed into emergency shelters. "Today is the first day we receive help," said survivor Marta Antonio. "But they don't give it to everyone, they only give it to those who are in the rooms. But those outside receive nothing," she said. Victims who were not housed in the centres were frustrated. They complained that they had been forgotten and for those lining up for something to eat, the food was insufficient. "I have four children, and they're only going to eat bread? Give me a bag of aid," demanded one man, who did not give his name. In Beira's Samora Machel Secondary School, where President Filipe Nyusi was educated, more than 1,000 people found shelter, where many slept on the floor of an indoor basketball court. "Everything is difficult here. I'm fighting for my children to have something to eat," said Celeste Dambo, who said that by lunchtime she had not yet eaten anything since the previous night. On Wednesday, crowds of people looted a warehouse, taking away sacks of rice marked "China Aid." "People have suffered for weeks here, and they are understandably worried. This is a very difficult situation, on a massive scale, the response is building, you’re going to have hiccups, (but) a lot more people are weighing in," said Bourke. The United Nations has launched an appeal for assistance. 'Cholera and malaria' Meantime the main morgue in Beira is teeming with bodies and burials are impossible because the city cemeteries are flooded, said the ICRC. "The mortuary at the city’s main hospital is full and there are dozens of bodies that need to be removed and cared for in a dignified way," said ICRC in a statement. "The humanitarian needs will tragically only deepen in the coming weeks," it added. The mayor of Beira Daviz Simango has been helping clean up the city, driving excavator. "We are starting from zero, we have started the work," he told AFP adding "our people have suffered a lot". Meanwhile, the ICRC has set up a dedicated website where missing people can be registered.

Aid workers scramble to get relief supplies to Mozambique cyclone victims

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