- Written by Tom Bateman & Madeline Halpert
- BBC News, Washington DC
Family of aid worker killed in Gaza: 'He had a desire to serve others'
Jacob Flickinger was a “loyal and dedicated” aid worker and family man who was “hunted” and killed by Israel while trying to help people in need, his parents told the BBC.
Flickinger, 33, an American-Canadian, was one of seven people killed in the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy.
The Israeli military has apologized and said the attack was a tragic mistake. He promised a full investigation.
However, his parents called his death a “crime” and refused to apologize.
John Flickinger and Sylvia Labrecque said they were left with a “hole in their hearts” and that Jacob's wife, Sandy, and 18-month-old son, Jasper, had lost both a husband and a father.
Speaking from Quebec, he said he and other workers were killed while traveling on a road designated by Israel as a safe humanitarian route.
Flickinger said the charity had reported 24 hours in advance that the convoy would be dropping food at the warehouse and had been in contact with the Israel Defense Forces throughout the process.
Still, Israel continued its attack, saying it “continued to fire until all the workers were dead.” “Israel owes an explanation to its family and to the world.”
Mr. Flickinger's father described him as “the best, most loyal friend you could ask for.”
Her mother, Labrecque, said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's description of the attack as a “tragic accident” was, in her view, “a joke”.
“He was a very good human being,” she said of her son. “He was very dedicated to his work and family.”
Jacob, who previously served in the military for 11 years, went to Gaza in March because he wanted to help others, his family said.
“His life was one of service,” Flickinger said, adding that he nevertheless worries about his son moving through a war zone as dangerous as Gaza.
“but [Jacob] “I felt like I knew what World Central Kitchen was doing there,” he said, and his son “knew people were starving there.”
His parents called on the US to stop sending military aid to Israel while Israel uses “food as a weapon.” This points to a lack of aid to Gaza.
“The United States has significant influence over Israel,” Flickinger said.
Jacob's parents also called for a ceasefire, the return of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and more aid to war-torn Gaza.
Flickinger also said he wants the U.S. government to launch an independent investigation into the killings of humanitarian workers and for Israel to pay compensation to families who lost loved ones in Gaza.
“Justice can start there, but the most important thing is to end this madness,” he said.
image source, world central kitchen
WCK releases photos of victims
“I grew up without a father,” Flickinger said. “From now on, my grandson will grow up without a father.”
Labrecque said she hopes her grandson Jasper will remind her of her son's life and goodness.
“It's going to be a daily job recovering from that loss,” she said. “But Jasper will be a very good inspiration for us to stay strong.”
Flickinger said he has spoken to the Canadian government but has not heard back from the White House. He said he was informed of his son's death by the U.S. Embassy in Israel.
“I would like to hear from someone in the U.S. government,” he said, adding that the Canadian government “has been extremely helpful.”
Founded by renowned Spanish-American chef José Andres, WCK provides desperately needed aid to Gaza, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. was one of the main suppliers of
According to aid organizations, about 200 people, including humanitarian aid workers, have been killed in the conflict.
In the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and 253 hostages were taken.
