The families of three British aid workers killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza have paid tribute to them as heroes. John Chapman, 57, James Kirby, 47, and James Henderson, 33, were among seven World Central Kitchen staff killed on Monday when the Israel Defense Forces attacked a humanitarian convoy.
Chapman's family described his death as 'an inhumane act', saying he died trying to help people. The former special forces member, from Poole, Dorset, worked for the charity's security team alongside Kirby and Henderson. All three were employed by the Dorset-based security firm Solace Global.
Kirby's family called him a 'genuine gentleman' who understood the risks from his military service in Bosnia and Afghanistan. His cousin Adam McGuire expressed disappointment at Israel's response, noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not apologise. 'We hope this is the turning point,' McGuire said, calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza.
Henderson, a former Royal Marine from Penryn, Cornwall, was described as 'highly disciplined' in his LinkedIn profile. Solace Global's director Matthew Harding praised the three as 'extremely experienced, very professional and thoroughly excellent operators'.
Tributes were also paid to the other victims: Australian Zomi Frankcom, American-Canadian Jacob Flickinger, Polish national Damian Sobol, and Palestinian Saif Issam Abu Taha.
