The family of British aid worker James Kirby, who was tragically killed in Gaza, is demanding an independent legal inquiry into his death. Kirby, who was working with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity, was one of three British citizens killed in Israeli drone strikes on their aid convoy on 1 April. His family is now urging the UK government to ensure transparency and accountability in relation to the incident.
The demand for an independent inquiry comes at a time when the Kirby family is preparing to hold a memorial service at Bristol Cathedral. They expressed disappointment at the lack of communication from both the UK government and Israeli authorities since the attack. The family has not received any condolences or updates from Israeli authorities, which has further increased their grief.
In response to the incident, the Israeli embassy in London described the attack as a “tragic mistake”. They offered their deepest condolences to Kirby’s family and acknowledged that two Israeli Defence Force (IDF) officers had been dismissed following an internal investigation. The IDF admitted that the convoy was mistakenly identified as a threat and that the attacks were the result of errors in decision-making.
James Kirby, 47, was a former soldier who was working in Gaza with other aid workers. The convoy he was part of was delivering food to a warehouse when it was attacked by several missiles. Kirby was killed as well as two other British citizens, John Chapman and James Henderson. The convoy’s mission was to aid civilians in Gaza, a region that has seen severe humanitarian crises.
The IDF’s internal investigation led to the dismissal of the brigade fire support commander and the brigade chief of staff. The findings were sent to the Military Advocate General, the IDF’s top legal authority, to determine if any criminal conduct was involved. Despite these measures, the Kirby family remains dissatisfied with the response and is demanding a comprehensive, independent investigation to ensure justice is served.
James’ cousin Louise Kirby expressed her concerns about the government’s lack of response and the need for a transparent investigation. He said, “We need to know how this disaster happened, who is responsible, and what measures have been taken for accountability. Simply saying ‘sorry it was an accident’ is not enough. We need transparency and accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
The Kirby family has also highlighted their disappointment with the way the British government has handled the situation. They have not received any information about whether any credible investigation is underway or what the results are if an investigation has been conducted. Louise Kirby urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take their concerns seriously and launch an independent or legal investigation into the attack.
After the attack, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for a “thorough and transparent independent investigation”. However, the Kirby family has not yet received any concrete response or assurances about their demands. The family has been supported by various organisations including WCK and have received personal condolence letters from the King, Queen and former Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron.
The incident has also drawn attention to the wider context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The IDF’s military operation in Gaza was launched in response to a major attack by Hamas on southern Israel in early October, resulting in a large number of casualties and hostages. The conflict has escalated since then, with recent updates reporting over 40,000 deaths in Gaza.
In the wake of the Kirby family’s demands for justice, pressure is mounting on both the British and Israeli governments to address the incident comprehensively. The family’s demands for accountability reflect wider concerns about the safety of aid workers in conflict zones and the need for transparent investigations of such tragic events.
As the memorial service for James Kirby draws closer, the family hopes for a resolution that honours his memory and ensures that justice is served. They continue to advocate for an independent inquiry to shed light on the circumstances surrounding his death and hold those responsible accountable.