On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged Israel to promptly conduct an investigation and offer an explanation following the deaths of aid workers, including British citizens, in Gaza. The NGO World Central Kitchen reported that among the seven individuals killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza on Monday were citizens from Australia, Britain, and Poland. Expressing shock and sadness, Sunak stated that the government was actively working to swiftly verify all the pertinent details.
The victims were British, Polish, Australian, Palestinian and also included a dual US-Canadian citizen, WCK said.
A journalist working for the BBC in Gaza has seen the bodies of three international aid workers and the Palestinian member of the team. The passports of the three showed them to be from Australia, Poland and the UK.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that the Israeli military hit “innocent people”, describing it as tragic and unintentional.
“It happens in war, we check it to the end, we are in contact with the governments, and we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again,” he said in a video message.
Here’s what we know about the aid workers killed.
- Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom, an aid worker from Melbourne, Australia, passed away while “engaged in the work she was passionate about,” as stated by her family. Described as a “compassionate, selfless, and remarkable individual,” Ms. Frankcom dedicated her life to assisting others in various parts of the world during their times of distress. Her family emphasized that she would be remembered for her unwavering kindness, courage, and affection towards everyone she encountered.
- Damian Sobol,Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has confirmed the death of Mr. Sobol. In a video message on X, he stated, “Our courageous compatriot, Mr. Damian Sobol from Przemysl, was involved in aiding people in Gaza amidst a humanitarian crisis. He tragically lost his life during an attack, for which the Israeli army has taken responsibility.” Prior to this, he had personally requested an “urgent explanation” for the strike from the Israeli ambassador.
Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed his sorrow upon learning about the deaths of the WCK volunteers, including a Polish citizen, in a post on X. He emphasized, “These courageous individuals positively impacted the world through their dedicated service to others. This tragic incident should have never occurred and demands clarification.”
Mr. Sobol, hailing from Przemysl in south-eastern Poland, was initially identified by the city’s mayor in a Facebook post.
- Saif Abu Taha,On Tuesday, mourners assembled in the Gazan city of Rafah to attend the funeral of the Palestinian driver who lost his life in the strike.
Saif Abu Taha, the deceased, was honored by hundreds of individuals as his body was brought to Rafah, his birthplace. There, relatives, colleagues, and friends came together to carry him on their shoulders in a final tribute.
British & U.S.-Candian nationals killed
The attack claimed the lives of three British nationals, identified as John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby, according to findings by the BBC. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak engaged in a conversation with Mr. Netanyahu on Tuesday evening, expressing his dismay over the incident and urging a comprehensive and transparent inquiry into their deaths.
Earlier, Mr. Sunak expressed his shock and sorrow, extending his condolences to the friends and families of the victims. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting the crucial humanitarian work carried out by aid charities, stressing that they should be allowed to operate without obstacles.
Additionally, World Central Kitchen (WCK) reported that among those killed was a dual US-Canadian citizen. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hailed the aid workers as “heroes” who were dedicated to assisting others in need. He disclosed that Washington had directly engaged with the Israeli government, urging a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation to ascertain the circumstances of the tragedy.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly echoed the call for a full investigation, saying she was “horrified” to hear of the attack.
“Strikes on humanitarian personnel are absolutely unacceptable,” she said on X.
