(NewsNation) — Ben Grant wants to make sure we know about his fallen colleagues from World Central Kitchen.

“They represent the best of humanity,” says Grant, who leads the Gaza effort for another food aid group, Global Empowerment Mission.

After the Israeli military attack that killed seven WCK workers, Grant and his team withdrew to Cairo, as did other relief groups.

“Aid organizations are now suspending their operations, and it’s created huge gaps,” he told NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”

And as for returning to Gaza?

“Absolutely,” he said. “Right now, we’re bringing up to speed a new convoy … ahead of schedule. I look forward to getting back on the ground. I (don’t) want all my friends to die in vain. We will carry on in their place.”

He says the deaths of his friends are very hard to digest, “but it doesn’t take away the fact that there are still over three million people who these people died trying to save.”

Grant says there’s always fear going into war zones, but he hopes the attack and the regret from Israel will inspire changes that will get aid to people in a safer, more efficient manner.

And Grant says he welcomes any political pressure that will help aid workers in Gaza.

“It’s absolutely necessary.”