Three British relief workers killed in Israeli Gaza attack, World Central Kitchen confirms

According to World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian aid organisation, seven individuals were tragically killed in central Gaza in what appears to be an Israeli airstrike.

Among the victims were three British citizens. The British citizens were James Henderson, 33, James Kirby, 47, and John Chapman, 57.

According to health officials and a journalist at Al-Aqsa Hospital, the group tragically lost their lives on Gaza's coastal road in Deir Balah, central Gaza, on Monday night.

A video depicting the remains of five individuals, a few of whom were seen donning protective gear adorned with the emblem of World Central Kitchen charity, an organisation established by renowned chef José Andrés.

The videos also revealed the passports of some of the deceased individuals. According to a source at the hospital, the aid workers who tragically lost their lives were from Britain, Australia, and Poland. Additionally, World Central Kitchen reported that a Canadian citizen and several Palestinians were also among the casualties.

According to WCK, their convoy was struck despite the charity's coordination with the Israeli military regarding their movements. Additionally, it is worth noting that two of the hit vehicles were clearly labelled as aid vehicles.

“This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore. stated Erin Gore,

According to Gaza's government media office, one of the deceased individuals has been identified as a Palestinian driver.

An aid worker in Deir Balah who was familiar with the group told The Independent that they had just finished coordinating the distribution of 400 tonnes of food aid. This aid had arrived earlier in the day through a new sea route from Cyprus, which led to a pier constructed by WCK. The aid worker requested anonymity due to security concerns.

WCK described the deaths as a "tragedy."

In a statement on X, Mr. Andrés expressed his deep sorrow and condolences for the families, friends, and WCK family. He conveyed his heartbreak and grief over the tragic incident. These individuals are like heavenly beings...I have worked in various locations worldwide, including Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, and Indonesia.

Every individual has a face and a name. The Israeli government must put an end to these acts of indiscriminate killing. There is a pressing need to put an end to the restrictions on humanitarian aid, halt the tragic loss of innocent lives, including both civilians and aid workers and cease the utilisation of food as a tool of coercion. Putting an end to the tragic loss of innocent lives. Peace is rooted in the common thread that binds us all together as human beings. "It needs to start immediately."

The Israeli military has neither confirmed nor denied the reports of the strike, stating that an investigation has been initiated.

The IDF has announced that it is currently conducting a comprehensive investigation at the highest levels to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident involving World Central Kitchen personnel in Gaza.

Residents of Deir al-Balah reported a series of airstrikes in the area on Monday evening, targeting the coastal road and a mosque, according to local sources.

Israel has faced previous allegations of bombing humanitarian aid convoys and distribution centres. In February, an aid convoy of the United Nations' Palestinian Refugee Agency was struck by a tank shell. Another incident followed this in March, where a supply distribution centre was targeted.

In a recent development, WCK successfully organised the transportation of a significant amount of aid, totalling 200 tonnes, in a pilot run. The Israeli military coordinated both deliveries.

Following the conclusion of a two-week raid on Gaza's largest hospital, al Shifa, Israeli troops allegedly carried out a strike that resulted in severe damage to the facility and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The hospital now stands as a torched and gutted shell, adding to the already extensive destruction caused by the previous raid.

Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a Palestinian-British doctor who had volunteered at Shifa and other hospitals during the initial months of the war before returning to Britain, reported that among the casualties were Ahmed Maqadma and his mother, both doctors at Shifa, as well as his cousin.