Aid workers killed in Gaza will be remembered as 'heroes', says charity
Three British victims have been named, one is reported to be from Cornwall and another from Dorset
Last updated 3rd Apr 2024
Seven aid workers, including three Britons, who were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza will be remembered as "heroes".
That is according to the chief executive of the World Central Kitchen (WCK).
British victims James "Jim" Henderson, 33, John Chapman, 57, and James Kirby, 47, were part of the charity's security team.
They died alongside American-Canadian dual citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33, Australian national Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, 43, who was the leader of the relief team, Polish national Damian Sobol, 35, and Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25.
According to The Times, Mr Henderson was a former Royal Marine from Cornwall who was due to leave Gaza on Monday.
MP for Truro and Falmouth Cherilyn Mackrory has paid tribute, saying: “My sincere condolences to the family of Falmouth’s James Henderson, who was one of seven aid workers that sadly died following an airstrike on a food convoy in Gaza. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”
“The world is undoubtedly a better place thanks to the efforts of those working with charities like the World Central Kitchen. It is an unacceptable tragedy for James to have passed this way many years before his time.”
“I have received assurances from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office that the families of those impacted by this airstrike have been offered full support. I understand that the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and other relevant Ministers are pushing for a full, transparent and urgent report from the Israeli Government detailing exactly what happened and an explanation as to how they will make sure this never happens again.”
Henderson was a former player for Penryn Rugby Club, who said, "We have lost one of the kindest, toughest and most loyal players to have ever worn the Penryn shirt."
Mr Chapman, a father-of-two from Poole, Dorset, was also said to be a former Royal Marine and served in the Special Boat Service, the special forces unit of the Royal Navy, according to The Sun.
Mr Kirby is also believed to be a military veteran.
"Heroes of World Central Kitchen"
The charity's chief executive Erin Gore said: "These seven beautiful souls were killed by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in a strike as they were returning from a full day's mission.
"Their smiles, laughter, and voices are forever embedded in our memories. And we have countless memories of them giving their best selves to the world. We are reeling from our loss. The world's loss."
The World Central Kitchen (WCK) 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.
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.
"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."
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."
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.
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.