Chef José Andrés, Leading Gaza Aid Efforts, Urges Israel-Hamas Truce

Celebrity chef José Andrés calls for cease-fire and more aid to prevent hunger in Gaza

As a second ship prepared to depart for Gaza with desperately needed aid, celebrity chef José Andrés, founder of the food charity World Central Kitchen, called for a cease-fire and urged Israel to do more to prevent hunger in the region.

Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Andrés emphasized the importance of ensuring that nobody in Gaza goes hungry or without food and water. He expressed his hope that World Central Kitchen would be able to scale up its efforts to bring large quantities of food daily to Gaza, where 2.2 million people are on the brink of famine according to United Nations officials.

The first ship dispatched by World Central Kitchen, the Open Arms, recently delivered a small amount of aid to Gaza, attracting global attention. However, the aid delivered so far is just a fraction of what is needed to prevent famine in the region. Aid groups have been pleading with Israel to allow more trucks through land crossings to sustain Gaza’s population.

Despite the challenges, Andrés remains committed to his mission of providing aid to Gaza. He questioned the necessity of Israel bombing buildings in Gaza and issued a plea for peace, highlighting the shared love for foods like falafel and hummus among people on both sides of the conflict.

With the second ship still anchored in Cyprus, Andrés and World Central Kitchen are determined to continue their efforts to bring aid to Gaza and alleviate the suffering of its people. Their work serves as a beacon of hope in a region plagued by conflict and hunger.