Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha was killed in a strike while working as part of a humanitarian relief team.
Saifeddin was killed during an attack that struck a World Central Kitchen aid team vehicle while they were carrying out humanitarian duties. He was the youngest of the aid workers killed in the incident. The strike resulted in the deaths of several members of the relief team, including international and Palestinian aid workers, and prompted widespread grief and outrage among colleagues, friends, and family members.
Biography
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha was a 25-year-old Palestinian humanitarian aid worker from Rafah in the Gaza Strip. He worked as a driver and translator with World Central Kitchen, where he volunteered to help deliver food and assistance to displaced Palestinians. Known among colleagues and friends for his kindness, optimism, and willingness to help solve problems, Saifeddin was described as a dedicated young man whose work reflected deep compassion for his community.
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha was born and raised in Rafah, where he later became widely mourned by relatives, colleagues, and friends. He pursued higher education at a university in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, and lived for a period in Dubai, where he was also described as a successful businessman.
At the beginning of the year, Saifeddin began working with World Central Kitchen as a driver and translator, contributing directly to humanitarian relief efforts amid the Gaza conflict. Colleagues recalled him as hopeful, cooperative, and eager to assist others. His brothers said he was deeply committed to helping fellow Palestinians and had dreams of marriage and building a family. His death left a profound impact on those who knew him, with hundreds attending his funeral in Rafah.
Additional Information
Sources & References
Seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) have been killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza, the charity's founder says.1 bbc.com Open source
Very best of humanity’: the seven aid workers killed in Israeli airstrike2 theguardian.com Open source
Who were the World Central Kitchen workers killed in Israel’s strike in Gaza?3 edition.cnn.com Open source