Bay Area chef grieves loss of friend who died on Gaza food aid mission

SAN FRANCISCO — The recent Israeli airstrike that claimed the lives of seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen has left a deep impact on those who knew them personally. Laura Pauli, a chef who volunteered alongside Damian Sobol, one of the aid workers killed in the strike, described him as “kind,” “a protector,” and “a person determined to do good.”

Pauli and Sobol had worked together on humanitarian aid runs in Ukraine before Sobol’s mission to Gaza. The World Central Kitchen’s mission, according to Pauli, is simple: to feed people in need regardless of their background or beliefs.

The Israeli military has admitted to misidentifying an aid worker as a Hamas militant during the airstrike, a mistake they have called “tragic” and preventable. World Central Kitchen is calling for systemic change in Israel’s military and an independent investigation into the killings.

Despite the tragedy, Pauli remembers Sobol and the other aid workers as heroes who were dedicated to doing good in the world. She mourns the loss of a friend and colleague, emphasizing that their work was driven by a deep sense of purpose and compassion.

As the world waits for answers and accountability, Pauli’s words serve as a reminder of the selfless dedication of aid workers like Sobol, who risk their lives to help those in need. Their legacy, she believes, will continue to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and make a positive impact on the world.