The family of James Kirby, one of the three British aid workers killed in Israeli drone strikes on a World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity convoy in Gaza in April, has called on the UK government to launch an independent legal investigation into his death. Speaking on behalf of the family ahead of Mr Kirby’s memorial service, his cousin Louise Kirby argued that there must be a proper understanding of what happened to “innocent aid workers” and a relevant court of law should be used to assess evidence. Ms Kirby stated that the family had had no contact from the UK government since the attacks and had received no information about whether an independent investigation had taken place.
She also expressed surprise at not receiving contact or condolence from the Israeli ambassador to the UK or any Israeli official. Mr Kirby, a former serviceman, was one of seven killed in air strikes on an aid convoy moving food to a warehouse in Gaza. Two other Britons providing security for the convoy, John Chapman and James Henderson, were also killed. The Israel Defence Force claimed that the drone operator had mistakenly targeted the convoy after wrongly identifying Hamas gunmen.
According to evidence from an Israeli investigation, which has been passed to the military advocate general, two officers were sacked and two senior commanders formally reprimanded in relation to the attack. The family of Mr Kirby thanked WCK and other supporters for their help, but said that the family was “still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened.” There was no immediate response from either the Israeli embassy in London or the UK government to the family’s request for an independent enquiry
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
