This image shows one of the damaged vehicles used by the World Central Kitchen targeted by Israel in a “deconflicted zone” in the besieged Gaza Strip, April 2, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
London, September 5 (RHC)-- The family of a British aid worker killed in an Israeli strike in the besieged Gaza Strip in April has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
In a statement released on Wednesday, James Kirby's family called for a "proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers." Describing his death as a diabolical tragedy and a murder, the family said they were “still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened.”
“There must be a proper independent inquiry into the attack on innocent aid workers and for the evidence to be assessed if appropriate by a relevant court.”
The family says they have had no contact from the UK government since the death of the aid workers or received “any evidence whether a credible independent investigation is taking place or the results of any investigation if it has taken place.”
The family says this is not just about them but about how families are treated. "This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed."
“Just saying ‘Sorry it was an accident, is not enough.’ We need to know there has been accountability at all levels so that it does not happen again,” the statement said.
James Kirby was among seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK), including Britons John Chapman and James Henderson, who were killed when an Israeli airstrike targeted their clearly marked vehicle on April 1st.
Kirby and the two other Britons killed were part of the security team accompanying aid workers employed by the U.S.-based charity. In addition to the three Britons, Australian national Lalzawmi Frankcom, Polish national Damian Sobol, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutahas and U.S.-Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger were killed in the deadly strike.
Everyone in the convoy was killed after three missiles were fired in three locations over five minutes. The Israeli drone operators kept firing on the convoy after the initial strike.
Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that the occupation forces had killed the humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip, saying: “Hey, you know. It happens in wartime.”
Poland’s deputy foreign minister, Andrzej Szejna, has demanded a criminal inquiry.
WCK has also called for an independent investigation. “The Israeli military cannot credibly investigate its own failure in Gaza.”
Last month, the United Nations revealed a distressing rise in the number of aid worker fatalities in conflict zones, largely linked to the ongoing Israeli campaign of genocide in Gaza.
