The volunteers, who were working to deliver food and supplies, were struck by a missile in the northern part of the Gaza Strip shortly after their aid shipment arrived by boat from Cyprus, according to the Associated Press news agency.
Those killed include people from Poland, Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as a dual US-Canada national and a Palestinian, World Central Kitchen said, as cited by US broadcaster.
Distressing footage has emerged online, depicting the aftermath of the attack at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, in northern Gaza.
The victims were travelling in two armored cars emblazoned with the WCK logo and another vehicle; they were wearing protective gear with the charity's insignia, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.
The Israeli military said it was "carrying out an in-depth examination at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident."
The aid, part of a larger shipment organized by the United Arab Emirates and World Central Kitchen, aimed to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, bringing some 400 tons of food and other essentials to Gaza, news agencies reported.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, AP, CNN, Reuters
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Marcin Matuszewski.