The partner of one of the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers who tragically lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza this week is desperately seeking answers about the deadly attack.
"We need some answers," expressed Sandy Leclerc, the partner of Jacob Flickinger, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, in her first television interview since the incident. "We need the truth of what happened because this situation is so unclear."
Directly appealing to President Joe Biden, she pleaded, "Please Mr. Biden, give us the truth of what happened." Flickinger, 33, along with six other WCK aid workers, was killed when their three-vehicle convoy, which included two armored cars, was struck by the Israel Defense Forces.
The attack occurred after they had left the Deir al-Balah warehouse in central Gaza, where they had helped unload more than 100 tons of humanitarian aid brought to Gaza via the maritime route, according to a statement from WCK earlier in the week.
When asked what message she would convey to world leaders, Leclerc advocated for peace, stating that Flickinger "would always fight to bring more peace into this world" and that the desire to help others was "deeply ingrained in him."
"I think that we need to bring more peace into this world," she added.
Describing Flickinger as a loving father to their young son, Leclerc recounted how he would call her every day to say goodnight. However, on the day of the attack, she did not receive a call from him; instead, one of his co-workers informed her that he had been killed.
"I am devastated by this news," an emotional Leclerc said. "He was a part of me."
Leclerc expressed her difficulty in explaining to their son that his father is no longer with them, saying, "This situation saddens me so much, but at the same time, Jacob was always a warrior, always a fighter, and he would always fight to bring more peace into this world, so that's what I will explain to him."
She added, "And we will keep remembering every day of our life. … We will always remember how brave he was, is what I'm going to tell my kid."
In addition to Flickinger, the WCK aid workers killed in the strike were identified as Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25; Damian Sobol, 35, of Poland; and Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, 43, of Australia.
Also among the victims were three members of the WCK security team: John Chapman, 57; James (Jim) Henderson, 33; and James Kirby, 47, all of Great Britain.
The killing of these humanitarian workers has sparked an international outcry. President Biden expressed his outrage over the attack, which Israeli officials have described as a "grave mistake."
During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable, according to a statement released by the White House.
Netanyahu expressed deep regret over the incident, stating that Israel would conduct a swift and transparent investigation, with the findings to be made public.
WCK, an organization founded by Chef José Andrés, has called for an independent and international investigation into the airstrike.
The organization described the incident as a "military attack that involved multiple strikes" and alleged that the organization's vehicles were targeted.
"All three vehicles were carrying civilians; they were marked as WCK vehicles, and their movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route, and humanitarian mission," WCK said in a statement.
A senior adviser for Netanyahu dismissed claims that the Israeli strike was intentional as "absurd," emphasizing that Israel would never want to endanger civilian lives.
WCK has asked Israel to preserve all material, including documents and communications, that may be relevant to the strike.
Operating in Gaza for months, WCK has served more than 33 million meals since the start of the conflict. The organization paused its operations in the region following the attack and has not yet determined when it will resume.
A March report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification stated that famine is "imminent" in northern Gaza, as the entire population of the strip experiences high levels of food insecurity amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.