IDF eliminates World Central Kitchen NGO employee implicated in October 7 attack
The attack was carried out after prolonged tracking by Israeli intelligence, which located Ahed Azmi Qudeih in real time.
Israeli attack in which five people were killed, including three World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers.
On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked a vehicle in Gaza carrying Ahed Azmi Qudeih, identified as a Hamas member and participant in the October 7 massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz. According to an official statement, Qudeih was also employed by the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), which provides food assistance in conflict zones.
Intelligence operation
The attack was carried out after a prolonged tracking operation by Israeli intelligence, which located Qudeih in real time. The IDF emphasized that the vehicle was not identified as part of a humanitarian mission nor had its route been coordinated as an aid transport, making it a legitimate target within the framework of operations against terrorism in Gaza.
World Central Kitchen response
In a statement, WCK said it was not aware of any of its staff being linked to the October massacre or terrorist activities. Following the incident, the organization announced the suspension of its operations in Gaza.
Appeal to the international community
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) demanded explanations from WCK and the international community as to how a humanitarian organization ended up employing an active Hamas member. They also urged all NGOs operating in Gaza to provide details of their personnel to prevent terrorists from taking advantage of humanitarian structures for their activities.
Background
This incident comes months after an April attack in which the IDF mistakenly shelled a WCK convoy, resulting in the deaths of seven employees. At the time, the action was condemned globally, including by U.S. President Joe Biden, who called the event serious and part of a series of similar mistakes.
Following an internal investigation, the IDF acknowledged responsibility for the April attack, dismissed two senior officers and sanctioned three others. Saturday's operation, however, was presented as an attack based on accurate intelligence against a target with a documented history of terrorism.
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