![Bodies of foreign employees of the US-based international volunteer aid organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), who were killed after an Israeli attack on a vehicle belonging to WCK, are taken to En-Neccar Hospital in Rafah city, Gaza on April 03, 2024. [Yasser Qudaih - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AA-20240403-34171795-34171791-FOREIGN_EMPLOYEES_OF_INTERNATIONAL_AID_ORGANIZATION_KILLED_IN_ISRAELI_ATTACK_ON_GAZA.jpg)
In September 2025, nine countries launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Australia explained its important if dark inspiration in pursuing it: the slaying of Zomi Francken, along with six of her colleagues from the World Central Kitchen charity on April 1, 2024 by Israeli forces in Gaza. All perished to an attack consisting of three missiles fired from a Hermes 450 drone in a stated “deconflicted” zone, despite clear logo markings on the convoy vehicles and extensive coordination regarding their movements with the Israeli authorities. The declaration, while lacking teeth, is at least a concession that individuals dedicated to protecting and preserving the vulnerable in conflict deserve a heftier shield of protection in international humanitarian law. It […]
