A grieving relative of one of three UK veterans killed in an Israeli airstrike has declared the atrocity must be a “turning point” in the war, allowing more aid to save starving Gazans.
His heartfelt appeal was issued as 13 of the World’s leading aid organisations including Save the Children, Oxfam and Amnesty International warned “time is running out for Gaza.” But there are fears the dreadful killing of seven aid workers, including the three British veterans working for World Central Kitchen, has badly hit aid transportation into the Strip.
Ex-Rifles sniper James Kirby, 47, died alongside comrades John Chapman, 57, and James Henderson, 33, after they delivered 100 tonnes to starving Gazans on Monday evening. Mr Kirby’s cousin Adam McGuire, asked if the family are seeking justice, said: "That will come out. Lord Cameron I think has asked for a full review and we'll wait for that.
James Kirby's relatives said they were disappointed with Netahnyahu's response (SKY News)"Not only James, but the six other individuals, they're heroes to us. They went out there selflessly to help some of the most desperate people in the world. How this has happened is beyond any sort of recognition of how it could happen. For me personally, I just hope this is a turning point in the world now and what's happening in Gaza.
"I just hope that world leaders can get together and help these people. It is people at the end of the day, civilians, and that's what James was out there and the other six people were trying to do."
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He added that he was “disappointed” in the response from Israeli Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu in failing to apologise. Netanyahu merely described the strike as "a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants", adding "this happens in war".
Mr McGuire said: "I was disappointed in Benjamin Netanyahu's response yesterday, for not saying sorry to the individuals. His chief did send out a better apology. But I think that, . . .this should be a turning point now where aid needs to flow to those areas and I think he needs to recognise that you can't just indiscriminately hit people that are trying to save people."
Multiple aid groups including International Medical Corps are considering halting their Gaza missions because of the risk of being killed by Israeli troops. The three Brits were Maritime Security Officers with Poole-based security firm Solace Global, which described all three as “excellent operators.”
They died shortly after 10.30pm on Monday after Israeli missiles hit their three car convoy, one a “soft shell” and two armoured vehicles, with three weapons in succession, hundreds of yards apart. And there was some time in-between each suspected Hermes 450 drone strike.
After the first hit, wounded passengers are believed to have tried to get into a second vehicle and then that too was hit. The third vehicle tried to make an escape and then it too was hit.
James Kirby, one of the World Central Kitchen seven aid workers who were killed (PA)Amy Roxburgh-Barry, another of Mr Kirby's cousins, added: "It's just devastating that he's fought in these wars and come home with not a scratch, and then he goes out to do something helpful, and that's what happens."
Mr Chapman’s family added in a joint statement: “We are devastated to have lost John, who was killed in Gaza. “He died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
“We request we be given space and time to grieve appropriately. He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. He will be missed dearly.”
All three Brits were "extremely experienced" and "excellent operators", according to the boss of their Poole-based security firm Global Solace. Company director Matthew Harding said: "Our first thoughts are with the families and loved ones. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing the three men myself, but the company is a very close-knit family unit and many people in the room that I'm standing in right now knew all three men very well.
"And, in fact, some of them served with them prior to leaving the military. Their character traits are probably best for others to comment on. But what I can tell you is they were extremely experienced, very professional and thoroughly excellent operators.
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"As with many, I would like to wait for the proper outcome of the thorough investigation we're being told is being conducted. What we do know is that the humanitarian mission had been successfully completed and the food had been delivered and unloaded. The crew were turning around in order to make their way back to go to the safety of the compound when the incident happened.
“And we very much look forward to understanding exactly what went wrong from the Israeli Defence Force when they get to the bottom of it."
Former SBS serviceman John Chapman
James Henderson was one of the tragic victimsIt is feared more than 33,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war was triggered on October 7, when Hamas broke out of the Strip and murdered 1,200. They also took many hostages, around 100 of whom are still in captivity and the remains of a further 30 who have been killed are also still somewhere in Gaza.
And as many as 13 leading aid firms are insisting in a joint statement that “time is running out” for Gaza’s starving population. One desperate mother there said: “Before the war we were in good health and had strong bodies.
“Now looking at my children we have lost so much weight since we do not eat proper food.” She and her family are surviving on foraged wild plants and herbs. Amitabh Behar, Oxfam International Executive Director, accused Israel of “making deliberate choices to starve civilians.”
The appeal by 13 aid agencies demanding the world to stop the war came as Israel prepares to attack the last “safety” enclave of Rafah, where more than a million are sheltering. The statement was signed by Amnesty International, Save the Children, International Federation for Human Rights, Oxfam, and eight others.
It said: ”Last week, the Government of Israel made clear its intention to expand military operations in Rafah irrespective of the UN Security Council’s legally binding resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. In the last week, we have seen this scenario beginning to unfold before our eyes, with Israeli bombardment killing at least 31 people including 14 children in Rafah on 26 and 27 March alone.
“Humanitarian and human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that the planned Israeli ground incursion into Rafah promises to decimate life and life-saving assistance for the more than 1.3 million civilians, including at least 610,000 children, who are now in the direct line of fire.”
Seven aid workers were killed while travelling in a deconflicted zone in Gaza (MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Lord David Cameron described the killings of the aid convoy seven as "dreadful" and said: "We should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers".
As he arrived at a Nato meeting in Brussels, the UK Foreign Secretary said: "The dreadful events of the last two days are a moment when we should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers, including the three British citizens that tragically were killed. We should also send our condolences to their families and our thoughts should be with them."
And Israeli activist Gershon Baskin, who has in the past taken part in hostage negotiations, stormed: “This war has to end now. Israel needs to put on the table an offer that Hamas won’t refuse. How can any Palestinian live with the knowledge of the atrocities committed in their name against Israelis-their neighbours? How can any Israeli live with the knowledge that Israel has killed 32,000 people in Gaza, most of them non-combatants. This conflict has crossed the moral red lines that have to apply to us all.”
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Israel’s Chief of the Defence Staff, issued a statement in which he apologised. He said: “It was a mistake that followed a misidentification at night during a war in very complex conditions.
“It shouldn’t have happened. The incident was a grave mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas and not the people of Gaza. We are sorry for the unintentional harm done to the members of WCK.”
He added: “We share the grief of the families.”
But Richard Weir, senior conflict researcher at Human Rights Watch repeated claims that the airstrike appeared intentional, saying: “Israel’s deadly attack on World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza displays the characteristics of a precision airstrike, indicating the Israeli military intended to hit these vehicles.
“The attack underscores the urgency of the International Criminal Courts Palestine investigation. The Israeli military should facilitate the entry and distribution of desperately needed aid in Gaza, not impede it, and end unlawful attacks on air workers.”
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