Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for an urgent investigation into the deaths of three British aid workers killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. The victims, John Chapman, 57, James 'Jim' Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47, were part of a security team for the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK). They were among seven WCK staff killed when their convoy was hit.
Sunak spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, expressing his dismay at the loss of aid workers and civilians. A Downing Street spokesperson said Sunak demanded a 'thorough and transparent independent investigation' and stressed that 'far too many aid workers and ordinary civilians have lost their lives in Gaza and the situation is increasingly intolerable.'
Foreign Secretary David Cameron also spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, calling the deaths 'completely unacceptable' and urging 'major changes to ensure safety of aid workers on the ground.' Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell summoned the Israeli ambassador to request a 'quick and transparent investigation, shared with the international community, and full accountability.'
The aid workers were travelling in two armoured vehicles marked with WCK's logo. The charity has suspended operations in Gaza. Netanyahu described the strike as 'unintended.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack and called for a full investigation and immediate ceasefire, stating: 'This war must stop now. Far too many innocent people have died.'
Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told the BBC that 'more aid workers have been killed in Gaza than in any other conflict,' describing the situation as 'a war machine totally out of control.' UK-based aid agencies, including Medical Aid for Palestinians, condemned the strike, saying there is 'no safe place in Gaza.'
