Aid workers kille D in Gaza are ‘heroes’
THE family of one of the British aid workers killed in the Israeli air strike in Gaza have paid tribute to him as a “hero”.
James Kirby, a military veteran who is believed to be a former member of Britain’s special forces, was among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers killed in strikes by the Israel Defense Forces on Monday.
The 47-year-old former Army sniper marksman worked in the charity’s security team and died alongside fellow British military veterans John Chapman, 57, and James “Jim” Henderson, 33.
In a statement to the BBC, Mr Kirby’s family said: “Alongside the other six individuals who tragically lost their lives, he will be remembered as a hero.
“James understood the dangers of venturing into Gaza, drawing from his experiences in the British armed forces, where he bravely served tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Despite the risks, his compassionate nature drove him to offer assistance to those in dire need.
“A genuine gentleman, James was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, even in the face of senseless violence.
“James lost his life trying to save others, he will never know what a void he has left, our family will never be the same.”
They added they are “incredibly proud of who James was and what he achieved”.
The team’s leader, Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, 43, an Australian national, also died, along with American-Canadian dual citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33, Polish national Damian Sobol, 35, and Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25.
The convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid taken to Gaza on the maritime route, the charity said.
WCK immediately suspended operations in the region.
The attack has drawn international condemnation of what Israel called an “unintended strike”, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak telling his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu he was appalled by the killings and demanding a thorough and transparent independent investigation.
Mr Sunak described the aid workers’ deaths as “an awful, awful tragedy”.
“To think that these were brave Brits who were actually risking their lives to bring aid to people in need in Gaza. To have lost their lives in these circumstances is a tragedy,”