By Matt Underwood 
August 12, 2025 World Central Kitchen confirms armed operatives were posing as its members in central Gaza, and it’s certainly a significant development. It’s commendable that World Central Kitchen (WCK) openly acknowledged this, even posting it on their own website. That sort of transparency builds trust, and in this situation, it really boosts confidence in their organization. You have to admire that kind of honesty, especially when you consider that some organizations might have tried to sweep it under the rug.
I suppose some people might have claimed the IDF was just making things up to justify strikes, but now this news means they’re probably rethinking those beliefs. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some silence or maybe even some awkward apologies from those who previously insisted the IDF was lying. Regardless of any specific event, the situation underscores a bigger problem: the blurring of lines in a conflict zone.
This sort of situation brings us to the crux of the issue; in the thick of conflict, when armed groups pose as aid workers or journalists, it puts everyone at risk. It makes it incredibly difficult to distinguish between legitimate targets and innocent civilians, and that’s how terrible things happen. That said, this is something Hamas itself contributes to.
The IDF has been working, at least, to make contact before engaging and to minimize civilian casualties. It’s a messy, terrible situation, but any steps towards protecting civilians should be encouraged. And it’s good to see an organization like WCK, which has largely retained its legitimacy, take such a firm stance. They’ve even dismissed members with ties to terrorist groups. They prioritize getting food to people, and they don’t let anything stand in the way.
For people involved in humanitarian work, situations like this present a real challenge. When aid workers are killed, it’s a tragedy, regardless of the context. There is a massive difference between an accident and intentional murder. While Hamas’ actions don’t excuse any mistakes made by the IDF, it’s understandable how these events can and will occur. It’s possible to be both pro-Palestine and anti-Hamas, but it’s not always easy.
It is also important to realize the complexity of the conflict. It’s not just about the IDF versus Hamas. There are different groups with different agendas and goals and, at times, conflicting values and beliefs. Some believe that Hamas’ actions are a necessary evil in the name of resistance. Some people are critical of Israel’s actions, while others question Israel’s very existence. It is important to try to see the nuances of the situation.
It is certainly possible to be pro-Palestine and anti-war at the same time. However, it is equally important to understand that it is incredibly complex to be pro-Palestine while simultaneously not supporting the actions of Hamas, as Hamas is actively involved in the war. War is a mess and that’s why people try to avoid it.
It’s easy to be against the indiscriminate killing of civilians, and it’s equally important to condemn those who disguise themselves as civilians to carry out attacks. It is a complex issue to say the least. Critiquing Israel’s actions doesn’t automatically make someone “pro-Hamas,” and vice versa.
That said, it’s also crucial to acknowledge that mistakes happen in war. It’s a matter of facts that both sides are involved in targeting civilians. Some reports indicate the IDF raids emergency supplies, targets hospitals, and forces people into dangerous areas. These things happen.
The reality is, war is horrible and Hamas’ use of war crimes is atrocious. The situation is a complex, messy affair with many different perspectives and, at times, competing values. While it’s easy to get caught up in the drama, there are many people and organizations with good intentions.