The World Central Kitchen (WCK) will host an interfaith Celebration of Life at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to honor the seven aid workers who were killed in Gaza while delivering food to civilians in need. The memorial service will take place on Thursday at 11 a.m., and it will be live-streamed for the public to join.
The service will pay tribute to Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha of Palestine, John Chapman of Britain, Jacob Flickinger of the U.S., Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom of Australia, James Henderson of Britain, James Kirby of Britain, and Damian Soból of Poland. Celebrity Chef José Andrés, the founder of WCK, is expected to speak at the event. People from all faiths are invited to come together and honor the fallen heroes.
Acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform at the service, and a letter from President Joe Biden will be read. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will also attend the event. The tragic incident occurred after Israeli troops raided Shifa Hospital in Gaza and killed seven aid workers who were there delivering food supplies to Palestinian civilians facing food shortages due to Israeli blockades established after a Hamas attack.
Over 200 volunteers have lost their lives since the crisis began in Gaza, and the Israeli military is conducting a review to understand what happened during that fateful day when those brave souls were taken away too soon. For more information on the victims and their work, visit [insert link].