World Central Kitchen (WCK) 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. An
Australian, a Polish national, an American-Canadian dual citizen, and a Palestinian were also killed in the strike which was described as “unintended” by
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sharing a statement confirming the killings and an image of one of the charity’s vehicles hit by weaponry, the First Minister said the attack was “shameful and unacceptable” and slammed the
UK Government for “continuing to send arms to Israel”. He said: “The Israeli Government must be held to account. Enough is enough. “The UK Government continues to send arms to Israel despite the fact they have killed children,
Women, aid workers and bombed hospitals, school and refugee camps. “Shameful and unacceptable. Arms sales to Israel must stop immediately.” Among the seven killed were British victims John Chapman, 57, James ‘Jim’ Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47 – part of the World Central Kitchen security team. WCK’s chief executive Erin Gore described the victims as “the heroes of World Central Kitchen”. 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. During a phone call with Netanyahu, Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the killings and demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation. 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.” Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, chief of the general staff of the Israel Defence Forces, said the incident was “a mistake that followed a misidentification – at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened”. He added that an independent body would conduct a “thorough investigation” which is to be completed in the coming days. Get all the latest news from around the country Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country