LONDON: The family of a British aid worker killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza in April on Wednesday called for an independent investigation into his death.

James Kirby, from Bristol in southwest England, was one of seven people killed in a strike on a World Central Kitchen food convoy. The deaths drew the ire of world leaders and Israel called the strike a “grave mistake”.

Former serviceman Kirby and two other Britons killed were part of the security team accompanying aid workers employed by the US-based charity. Speaking on behalf of his family ahead of a memorial service for Kirby, his cousin Louise Kirby called for a “proper, independent inquiry into this attack on innocent aid workers”.

“Whilst we have had much support, we are still struggling to find answers and accountability for what happened,” she said in a statement. Kirby said the family was “surprised” that they had not had any contact from Israel’s ambassador to the UK or any Israeli official.

“Any family of a loved one who has been killed needs closure. We need to understand how this disaster could have happened,” she said. “But this is not just about us. This is about how Britain looks after its own citizens and their families, when a British citizen has been unlawfully killed by another state.”

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2024