Israel Gaza war: Family of slain aid worker call for inquiry

Speaking on behalf of the family, James’s cousin, Louise Kirby, said: “There must be a proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers, and for the evidence to be assessed, if appropriate, in a relevant court of law.

“However, unfortunately, families have had no contact from the UK Government since James and his colleagues’ deaths, nor have we received any information as to whether a credible, independent investigation is taking place; or of the results of any investigation if it has taken place.”

She added: “I very much hope the prime minister will take our concerns seriously and instigate an appropriate, independent or legal inquiry – not only so we can have transparency and accountability, but so that other British citizens and their families know that their government will act for them, if a foreign state unlawfully kills their loved ones.”

James Kirby, 47, a former serviceman, was one of seven killed in the air strikes on an aid convoy run by WCK on 1 April.

Two other Britons – John Chapman, 57, and James Henderson, 33 – were also killed. They were providing security for the convoy moving food to a warehouse in Gaza.

The IDF has said a drone operator mistakenly targeted the convoy after thinking it had been taken over by Hamas gunmen.

Three missiles were fired in three locations over five minutes. The first missile hit a car and some passengers escaped to another vehicle. That was then hit by a second missile. Some survivors tried to flee in a third car which was also struck. Everyone in the convoy was killed.

After an internal investigation, the IDF sacked two officers and formally reprimanded two senior commanders.

The evidence from the investigation was passed to the military advocate general – the Israeli army’s top legal authority – to determine if there had been any criminal conduct.

In the wake of the attack, the then-Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, called for a “thorough and transparent independent investigation” into what had happened.

In the statement, Louise Kirby thanked friends and supporters – including WCK – for their support. She said the family had been touched to receive personal letters of condolence from the King and Queen and the former Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron.

But she said “the murder” of James and his fellow aid workers was “a diabolical tragedy” and the family were “still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened”.

She said that, given Israel had said the strikes were an accident, the family had been surprised not to have had any contact or message of condolence from Israel’s ambassador to the UK, nor from 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.”