James Kirby, a British humanitarian worker with World Central Kitchen, along with six other aid workers, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Kirby’s funeral will take place in Bristol, with calls for answers from the UK government and international condemnation of the incident.
British Aid Worker Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza to be Laid to Rest in Bristol
James Kirby, 47, a British humanitarian worker with World Central Kitchen (WCK), was one of seven aid workers killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on April 1. His funeral will be held on Wednesday at St Mary’s Redcliffe Church in Bristol.
The attack targeted a WCK convoy after it left an aid warehouse. Among the deceased were British citizens John Chapman and James “Jim” Henderson, Australian Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, dual American-Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger, Polish national Damian Sobol, and Palestinian driver Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha.
Kirby’s mother, Jacqui Kirby, expressed gratitude for the widespread support and described her son as a “remarkable man” dedicated to his mission.
MP Kerry McCarthy, representing Bristol East, has called for answers from the UK government regarding the attack. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others over the incident, acknowledging it as a “serious mistake.”
A memorial for the relief team was held in Washington DC, where WCK founder Jose Andres condemned the killings, highlighting the dangers faced by humanitarian workers. The strike has garnered international condemnation, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressing his dismay to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Human Rights Watch and other entities are calling for a reevaluation of how aid operations are conducted and protected in conflict zones, especially in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.