The tragic death of three British men in an Israeli air strike in Gaza last Monday has caused widespread sorrow and shock. The men were part of a seven-person security team working for World Central Kitchen (WCK), a charity that provides food aid to people in need. Along with the three Britons, a Polish national, an Australian national, a Palestinian and a US-Canadian citizen were also killed in the attack.
The three deceased Britons were identified as John Chapman (57), James Henderson (33) and James Kirby (47). All three men had previously served in the British Armed Forces and were acting in their roles as security advisers to ensure that the WCK convoy followed safety procedures and stayed on the correct route. The men only arrived in Gaza a week before the attack and were due to rotate back home soon.
Responding to the tragedy, the families of the deceased have paid tribute to their loved ones and expressed their heartbreak at the loss. Mr Kirby’s family stated that they were proud of his heroism and commended his selflessness in trying to help others. Mr Chapman’s family declared that he died trying to help people and that he was a much-loved and valued family member. The charity’s founder, celebrity Chef José Andrés expressed his grief and called on Israel to stop its “indiscriminate killing”.
The Israeli government has stated that the attack was unintended and that the WCK workers were not the intended target. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has demanded an investigation into the matter and expressed his deep sadness at the loss of the three Britons. The situation in Gaza remains highly volatile, with heavy fighting continuing between Hamas and the Israeli military. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased are left to mourn their loss and remember the bravery of the men who were taken from them
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