Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom was one of the seven people killed Monday by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.

“Zomi is the nicest angel you would ever meet, a woman that has been in so many places around the world feeding people,” José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, said.

What You Need To Know

  • Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom was one of the seven people killed Monday by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza

  • During the height of the pandemic, Frankcom worked with Somos Community Care in New York City
  • Since the attack, World Central Kitchen has suspended its food delivery operations in Gaza
  • Other organizations have done the same, saying it’s simply too dangerous

She was working for chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.

“I’ve been in Gaza myself. I met some of the people who died — were some of my friends,” Andres said.

One of the places Australian-native Frankcom jumped in to help was New York City.

“This is a person who would smile, that you would always feel comfortable to work with,” Dr. Ramon Tallaj, chairman of the board at Somos Community Care, said.

She delivered meals to New Yorkers in need.

“For people like us in the community, people who know her, we call her an angel, [an angel] has died,” Tallaj said.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes were unintentional. Andres disagrees.

“It was really a direct attack on a clearly marked vehicle, whose movements were known,” Andres said.

World Central Kitchen said it coordinated its movements with the Israeli military.

Since the attack, the relief group has suspended its food delivery operations in Gaza. Other organizations have done the same, saying it’s simply too dangerous.

“As famine closes in, we need humanitarian staff and supplies to be able to move freely and safely across the Gaza Strip,” Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, said.

A report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said 70% of people are experiencing catastrophic hunger in northern Gaza.

“All of this just seems so unnecessarily tragic right now. And I think that’s what’s so heartbreaking about all of this, the World Central Kitchen team was simply trying to help people,” former World Central Kitchen CEO Nate Mook said.

While trying to help people, Tallaj said Frankcom died a hero.

“She was really a hero, because she came risking her life,” Tallaj said.

President Joe Biden spoke with Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, calling on him to address “humanitarian suffering and the safety of aid workers.”

Following that call, Israel said it’s taking more steps to allow aid into Gaza, though it did not elaborate.