Two years on, UK reiterates call for accountability for the World Central Kitchen strike in Gaza
Two years after an Israeli strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza killed seven aid workers, including three British citizens, the UK reaffirms its call for transparency and accountability. The government says it has pressed Israel at the highest level for answers and urges the swift publication of findings so the families can understand why this happened and lessons can be learned to prevent a recurrence. The statement also honours humanitarian staff and notes that more than 500 aid workers have lost their lives in Gaza since October 2023, underscoring that no aid worker should be killed while providing life-saving assistance.
Minister for the Middle East statement marking two years since seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an Israeli strike, including three British citizens
Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:
It has been two years since an Israeli strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza killed seven aid workers delivering food to starving civilians. Among those killed were three British citizens.
For two years, the families of Armed Forces veterans John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby have sought answers. The UK government has pressed Israel at the highest level for answers. Israel has a responsibility to provide these.
I’ve heard first-hand the pain their families have endured. So today, I repeat the UK’s call for transparency and accountability for this appalling attack - we will continue to push for justice. No aid worker should be killed doing their job providing lifesaving care to civilians living in the most dire straits.
I pay tribute to the bravery of the World Central Kitchen staff, it is vital that we do everything we can to ensure humanitarian staff can carry out their work without fear. More than 500 aid workers have lost their lives in Gaza since October 2023. Before the ceasefire, it was the most dangerous place in the world to be an aid worker.
I urge Israel to swiftly conclude and publish their findings into this attack. The families of those killed must know why this happened. Lessons must be learnt. A tragedy like this must never happen again.
