The three British aid workers killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza have been named. John Chapman, 57, James Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, were among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers killed in Monday’s strike.
The other victims were Australian, Polish, Palestinian and a US-Canadian citizen. The charity has paused its operations in Gaza, where there are growing concerns of mass starvation.
In a statement , World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore said: “These are the heroes of WCK. These 7 beautiful souls were killed by the IDF in a strike as they were returning from a full day’s mission. Their smiles, laughter, and voices are forever embedded in our memories.”
wck.org/news/honoring-gaza-team
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night.
He said he was appalled by the killing of aid workers, including three British nationals, in an airstrike 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.
Mr Natanyahu’s response is not recorded, but he is yet to make a public apology for the killings. Meanwhile, the slaughter continues unabated and 1.7 million Palestinians face starvation.
“This is unconscionable – but it is an inevitable result of the way the war is being conducted.” – @antonioguterres on airstrike that killed aid workers in Gaza.
196 humanitarians, including 175 UN staff, have been killed since October.