WASHINGTON — Hundreds gathered Thursday morning at Washington National Cathedral to celebrate the life of the seven World Central Kitchen workers who were killed while helping in Gaza.
The workers lost their lives on April 2 when an Israeli military airstrike hit the area they were in during their food mission. They have since been identified as Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha of Palestine; John Chapman of Britain; Jacob Flickinger of the U.S. and Canada; Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom of Australia; James Henderson of Britain; James Kirby of Britain; and Damian Soból of Poland.
"The seven souls we mourn today were there so that hungry people could eat," chef José Andrés, founder World Central Kitchen said before reading the names of the victims.
The service also included remarks from Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral; and other religious leaders. In addition, a wide range of U.S. dignitaries and senior officials from the home countries of each victim were invited to attend.
Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have called the attack, an "unintended strike."
Andrés has pushed back saying that his team members were deliberately targeted.
World Central Kitchen has paused their work since the deadly attack.
"A plate of food is plate of hope. A message that someone somewhere cares for you," Andrés said during the ceremony. He vowed to the victim's families to honor their loved one's legacies adding, "Food can never be a weapon of war. Humanitarians can never be targets."
Among the attendees were Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, and Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state.
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and his colleague Rep. Jamie Raskin also of Maryland, were among the lawmakers who joined the mourners during the ceremony.
The service also included a live performance by Yo-Yo Ma.
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