Israel's
MILITARY chief has apologised for a "grave mistake" after a strike that killed seven aid workers including three Brits who have been hailed as "heroes". World Central Kitchen confirmed
British victims John Chapman, 57, James "Jim" Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, who were working for the charity's security team, were among seven of its staff killed by an
Israeli strike in Gaza. The team's leader, Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, 43, an
Australian national, also died, along with American-Canadian dual citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33, Polish national Damian Sobol, 35, and Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25. And now the head of the Israeli Defence Forces, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, expressed remorse over the killings and called the event a "grave mistake." He said it was the result of a "misidentification" in complex conditions. Announcing the results of a preliminary investigation today, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said: "It was a mistake that followed a misidentification - at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn't have happened." Ships carrying 240 tons of aid 'turning back from Gaza' after strike kills Brit volunteers Former SBS serviceman John Chapman James Kirby was one of the World Central Kitchen seven aid workers killed ( Image: PA) He said an independent body would conduct a "thorough investigation" that would be completed in the coming days, and that the army appreciates the "important work" of the World Central Kitchen. He stated that the conclusions of the independent investigation would be implemented immediately and shared with WCK and other `relevant' international organizations. "We see great importance in the continued delivery of humanitarian aid, and we will keep working to facilitate this vital effort," he added. WCK's chief executive Erin Gore described the victims as "the heroes of World Central Kitchen". WCK said it had coordinated with the Israeli military over the movement of its cars bu three vehicles that were moving at large distances apart were hit in succession. They were left incinerated and mangled, indicating multiple targeted strikes. At least one of the vehicles had the charity's logo printed across its roof to make it identifiable from the air, and the ordnance punched a large hole through the roof. James Henderson was reportedly a former Royal Marine The strikes on the charity's convoy highlighted what critics say is Israel's indiscriminate bombing and lack of regard for civilian casualties in Gaza. Israeli authorities blame Hamas militants for civilian deaths because the fighters operate in populated areas. According to The Times, Mr Chapman was a former Royal Marine from Cornwall who was due to leave
Gaza on Monday, while The Sun said he had served in the Special Boat Service, the special forces unit of the Royal Navy. Mr Henderson was also a former Royal Marine, according to The Daily Telegraph, while Mr Kirby is also believed to be a military veteran. US President
Joe Biden said he was "outraged and heartbroken" by the deaths and said he had spoken to WCK founder Jose Andres. "This is not a standalone incident," he said. "This conflict has been one of the worst in recent memory in terms of how many aid workers have been killed. Lt Gen Herzi Halevi has apologised for a "grave mistake" ( Image: Israeli Defence Forces) "This is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult - because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians. Incidents like yesterday's simply should not happen." He said an Israeli investigation "must be swift, it must bring accountability and its findings must be made public". "I will continue to press Israel to do more to facilitate that aid," he said. "And we are pushing hard for an immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage deal. I have a team in Cairo working on this right now." The convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid taken to Gaza on the maritime route, the charity said. WCK immediately suspended operations in the region. Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israeli forces were behind the "unintended strike" on Tuesday. During a phone call with Mr Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the killings and demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation. People standing by a destroyed car belonging to World Central Kitchen ( Image: MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening. He said he was appalled by the killing of aid workers, including three British nationals, in an air strike in Gaza yesterday and demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation into what happened. "The Prime Minister said far too many aid workers and ordinary civilians have lost their lives in Gaza and the situation is increasingly intolerable. The
UK expects to see immediate action by Israel to end restrictions on humanitarian aid, deconflict with the UN and aid agencies, protect civilians and repair vital infrastructure like hospitals and water networks. "The Prime Minister reiterated that Israel's rightful aim of defeating Hamas would not be achieved by allowing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza." Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the killings were "completely unacceptable" as he pressed Israel for "major changes" to ensure the safety of aid workers. Lord Cameron is attending a
NATO foreign ministers' meeting on Wednesday where he is expected to encourage allies to "step up and spend more on defence".