September 4, 2024
The family of James Kirby, a British aid worker killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Kirby, originally from Bristol in southwest England, was among seven people who lost their lives in an April strike on a World Central Kitchen food convoy.
Kirby, a former serviceman, was part of a security team that included two other British nationals. They were accompanying aid workers employed by the US-based charity when the attack occurred.
Ahead of a memorial service for Kirby, his cousin Louise Kirby issued a statement on behalf of the family, urging for a “proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers.”
“While we have received significant support, we are still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened,” Louise Kirby said. She expressed the family’s disappointment at the lack of communication from Israeli officials, noting that they had not been contacted by Israel’s ambassador to the UK or any other representative.
“Any family of a loved one who has been killed needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened,” she continued. “This is not just about us. This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed by another state.”
The call for an independent investigation highlights the family’s ongoing quest for justice and accountability in the wake of the tragic incident.
The family of James Kirby, one of seven aid workers killed by Israel in Gaza in April, has called for an investigation to establish accountability.
The New Arab Staff & Agencies
04 September, 2024
WCK continue to claim that their workers were deliberately targeted by Israel [Getty]
The family of a British aid worker killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza in April called for an independent investigation into his death on Wednesday.
James Kirby, from Bristol in southwest England, was one of seven people killed in a strike on a World Central Kitchen food convoy.
The deaths drew the ire of world leaders and Israel called the strike a "grave mistake".
Former serviceman Kirby and two other Britons killed were part of the security team accompanying aid workers employed by the US-based charity.
Speaking on behalf of his family ahead of a memorial service for Kirby, his cousin Louise Kirby called for a "proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers".
"Whilst we have had much support, we are still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened," she said in a statement Wednesday.
Kirby said the family was "surprised" that they had not had any contact from Israel's ambassador to the UK or any Israeli official.
"Any family of a loved one who has been killed needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened," she said.
"But this is not just about us. This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed by another state."
A UK government spokesperson said that "the death of James and his fellow aid workers was horrific and our thoughts remain with their families".
"Israel must guarantee the protection of aid workers, and ensure a tragedy like this cannot happen again," the spokesperson added.
Last week, US-based aid group Anera said that four people accompanying its convoy in Gaza were killed in an Israeli air strike. Israel said its military had struck armed assailants.
The World Food Programme also said it was pausing movement of its staff in Gaza "until further notice" after one of its vehicles was struck by gunfire at an Israeli military checkpoint.
In May, the United Nations said an Indian member of its security services was killed and another wounded when a UN vehicle was struck on the way to a hospital in Rafah.
The Israeli embassy in the UK has been contacted for a comment.
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