Who were the World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza? Three British ... trends now
Three former British servicemen were among the victims of an Israeli air strike which killed seven aid workers in Gaza yesterday.
Former Royal Marines James Henderson and John Chapman and an ex-Army soldier James Kirby died in a drone strike on an aid convoy that triggered worldwide condemnation.
The team, which was providing security for the World Central Kitchen charity, were hit on Monday as they moved food from a warehouse to distribute to Gaza's starving population.
Along with the three British nationals providing security, four aid workers were also killed when the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse.
The aid workers included Australian Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankcom, a Polish national Damian Sobol, an American-Canadian dual citizen Jacob Flickinger and Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha.
World Central Kitchen released pictures of all seven victims
James 'Jim' Henderson, 33, from Cornwall, served in the Royal Marines for six years
John Chapman, 57, from Dorset, served in the Special Boat Squadron
James Kirby, 47, was a former sniper marksman who served in Bosnia and Afghanistan
James 'Jim' Henderson formed part of the relief team's security detail, World Central Kitchen said.
According to his LinkedIn page, the 33-year-old was a former roofer from Cornwall who served for six years in the Royal Marines.
Following his exit from the military in 2016, he had worked a series of close personal security jobs before volunteering to work with WCK.
He described himself as 'a highly disciplined, courteous and proactive individual who is mobile, offers flexibility and is willing to take on any further training necessary to offer the best service possible' and said he 'takes the health and safety of others very seriously'.
He left the military in 2016 to pursue security jobs such as the one in Gaza, and wrote that his 'true vocation lies in security' in a 'civilian position'.
He was due to leave Gaza on Monday, the Times reported.
His family were only informed of his death on Tuesday morning, a day after he was killed, neighbours in Falmouth, Cornwall, told MailOnline.
A close friend said: 'Everybody is gutted, he was a lovely lad. He hadn't been out there long, only a couple of weeks.'
'The group he was working for broke the news to the family this morning.'
'Everybody is gutted, he was a lovely lad. He'd been there a few weeks,' another friend said of Henderson, according to The Sun.
The three British ex-forces heroes that were killed by the drone strike
Mr Henderson was due to leave Gaza on Monday, the Times reported
Following Mr Henderson's exit from the military in 2016, he had worked a series of close personal security jobs before volunteering to work with WCK
John Chapman was among the charity's security team and was said to be a former Royal Marine. Pictured: His passport photo
John Chapman was a 57-year-old who was among the charity's security team and was said to be a former Royal Marine.
The father-of-two, from Dorset, also reportedly served in the Special Boat Service, the special forces unit of the Royal Navy.
In a statement released through the Foreign Office, Mr Chapman's family said he 'died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act'.
The statement added: 'He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
'He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. He will be missed dearly'.
One of Chapman's pals told the The Sun that the former SBS hero had only been in Gaza 'matter of weeks' after having served 'previous stints working in the Middle East'.
He hailed Chapman, 57, as a 'brilliant bloke' and said his death was a 'huge loss for his family, his friends and for the veteran community'. He also urged officials to provide more support to aid workers.
'People trying to deliver aid into Gaza are doing the right thing and they need support and protection from people like John and his colleagues to do their job,' the insider said.
James Kirby was a 47-year-old who also worked in the charity's security team and was a military veteran.
In a statement to the BBC, his family described him as a 'genuine gentleman'.
James Kirby was a 47-year-old who also worked in the charity's security team and was a military veteran
In a statement to the BBC , Mr Kirby's family described him as a 'genuine gentleman'
Mr Kirby's cousin told Sky News: 'Not only James but the six other individuals are like heroes to us. They went out there selflessly to help some of the most desperate people in the world'
Kirby with his friend Julie Marshall. The Times said he was believed to be a former member of Britain's special forces
They said: 'Alongside the other six individuals who tragically lost their lives, he will be remembered as a hero.
'James understood the dangers of venturing into Gaza, drawing from his experiences in the British armed forces, where he bravely served tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan.
'Despite the risks, his compassionate nature drove him to offer assistance to those in dire need.'
Mr Kirby's cousin, Adam McGuire, told Sky News: 'Not only James but the six other individuals are like heroes to us. They went out there selflessly to help some of the most desperate people in the world.'
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Kirby was a former sniper marksman and rifleman in the Army.
The page reads: 'An experienced, SIA-licensed (Security Industry Authority) close protection officer with a background in executive protection, hostile and covert surveillance, security management and maritime security.
'Former member of the British armed forces, fully qualified in all aspects of close protection, with experience working with high-net-worth individuals, business leaders and their families and staff, globally.
'Willing and able to work on international assignments, and free to travel as required.'
Palestinians inspect a vehicle with the logo of the World Central Kitchen that was wrecked by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday
He also described himself as someone who 'maintains a calm demeanour under extreme pressure, including life-threatening situations' and said he was 'experienced in working in varied theatres across the globe, both on land and at sea, including hostile and austere locations'.
The Times said Mr Kirby was believed to be a former member of Britain's special forces.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Israeli forces were to blame, saying the aid workers had been killed by an 'unintended strike'. He said officials were 'checking thoroughly' what had happened.
But aid agencies accused Israel of deliberately targeting their staff. And Mr Netanyahu was last night under intense pressure to explain why the attack happened – and to guarantee that there will be no further strikes against aid workers.
Ships carrying 240 tonnes of food aid were yesterday reported to have turned back from Gaza in the wake of the bombing, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the narrow strip of land.
Rishi Sunak told Mr Netanyahu he was 'appalled by the killing of aid workers'. In a phone conversation the Prime Minister demanded a 'thorough and transparent independent investigation into what happened'.
The Australian victim was named this morning as Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankcom, 43, from Melbourne.
Friends and family remembered Zomi as a brave, selfless woman whose care for others drew her across the globe. For the last five years, she'd worked for Washington-based World Central Kitchen, taking her to the U.S., Thailand and her native Australia.
The Australian victim was named this morning as Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankcom (pictured), 43, from Melbourne
Zomi working with fellow World Central Kitchen worker Chef Oli (right) handing out food
Jacob Flickinger was a 33-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He was reportedly the team lead
'We mourn this fine Australian who has a record of helping out her fellow citizens, whether it be internationally or whether it be through the support that she gave during the bushfires that occurred during that Black Summer,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp. 'She is someone who clearly was concerned about her fellow humanity.'
In a statement, relatives described Frankcom as an 'outstanding human being' who was 'killed doing the work she loves delivering food to the people of Gaza.'
She was born in Melbourne and earned a bachelor's from the Swinburne University of Technology. For eight years, she worked for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the nation's largest bank.
Frankcom's social media highlighted visits to help those in need in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania and Haiti.
World Central Kitchen colleague Dora Weekley, who met Frankcom responding to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas in 2019, described her as 'larger than life.'
She recalled when Frankcom was invited to walk a Hollywood red carpet, for a documentary about World Central Kitchen that was nominated for an Emmy.
'I remember getting a picture of her in a dress, saying, `Hold onto this forever,'' Weekley told ABC. 'Because usually I'm in sweats and runners, and I'm in Pakistan or Afghanistan or, you know, she could be anywhere, and never with her hair done or makeup done.
'She worked all hours, she gave everything, and she believed in helping people who were less fortunate.'
Jacob Flickinger was a 33-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He was reportedly the team lead.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly called for a full investigation and said in a post on X that strikes on humanitarian personnel were 'absolutely unacceptable.'
Speaking Wednesday in Brussels before a NATO meeting, she repeated the call for an investigation and said she had reached out to the Israeli foreign minister.
'Israel needs to respect humanitarian law, and we will make sure that is the case,' she said.
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha 27, had worked for World Central Kitchen as a driver and translator since the beginning of the year, relatives said
Damian Soból, 35, was known as a cheerful, friendly and resourceful manager who quickly rose in World Central Kitchen's ranks
Hailing from the southeastern Polish city of Przemyśl and studying hospitality there, Soból had been on aid missions in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey and, for the past six months, Gaza
Free Place Foundation President Mikolaj Rykowski said Soból was 'the man for every task - he could overcome every difficulty'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) had earlier stopped short of apologising for the deaths, which he described as a 'tragic case' that would be investigated 'right to the end'. His British counterpart Rishi Sunak (right) this evening told Netanyahu that he was 'he was appalled by the killing of aid workers' and branded the situation as 'increasingly intolerable'
Saifeddin 'Saif' Issam Ayad Abutaha, 27, had worked for World Central Kitchen as a driver and translator since the beginning of the year, relatives said.
His brothers described him as a dedicated young man eager to help fellow Palestinians.
He'd also been a successful businessman who conducted trade with Ukraine, Egypt, China and others, brother Abdul Razzaq Abu Taha said. His work made him known on the Israeli side, his brother added, which helped in coordination and approval to assist the World Central Kitchen team in unloading the ship.
Saif had hoped to get married. 'My mother was looking for a wife for him,' Abdul Razzaq Abu Taha said. 'He was supposed to get married if the war didn't happen.'
Saif and other workers were excited about unloading the food aid, desperately needed in Gaza. The last time Saif and his brother spoke, he said, they'd finished the job and he was heading home.
After hearing about the airstrikes, Abdul Razzaq Abu Taha said he tried to call to see whether Saif was OK.
Heavily damaged vehicle of the officials working at the US-based international volunteer aid organisation World Central Kitchen (WCK)
Horrific photographs showed how a huge hole had been blown in the roof of one car, with the vehicle's interior torn to shreds by the force of the blast
Palestinians are standing next to a vehicle in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 2, 2024, where employees from the World Central Kitchen (WCK), including foreigners, were killed in an Israeli airstrike
After many attempts, he said, a stranger answered and told him, 'I found this phone about 200 meters away from the car. All of the people inside are killed.'
Damian Soból, 35, was known as a cheerful, friendly and resourceful manager who quickly rose in World Central Kitchen's ranks.
Hailing from the southeastern Polish city of Przemyśl and studying hospitality there, Soból had been on aid missions in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey and, for the past six months, Gaza.
'He was a really extraordinary guy,' said Marta Wilczynska, of the Free Place Foundation, which cooperates with World Central Kitchen. 'We were very proud of him.'
Wilczynska met Soból on the Polish side of the border with Ukraine, a few days after Russia's February 2022 invasion. He spoke English well and was a translator, and as a skilled manager, he could organize work in any condition, she said.
'Always smiling, always so helpful, he loved this job. I felt I had a brother in him,' Wilczynska said.
Free Place Foundation President Mikolaj Rykowski said Soból was 'the man for every task - he could overcome every difficulty.'
Posting on Facebook, Przemy*l Mayor Wojciech Bakun said of Soból's death that there are 'no words to describe how people who knew this fantastic young man feel now.'
A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past a damaged vehicle where employees from the World Central Kitchen (WCK), including foreigners, were killed in an Israeli airstrike
A UN worker holds James Henderson's passport at the scene of the strike
Downing Street said Mr Sunak told the Israeli PM on Tuesday night that the situation was becoming 'increasingly intolerable' and that 'far too many aid workers and ordinary civilians have lost their lives in Gaza'.
A No 10 spokesman said: 'The UK expects to see immediate action by Israel to end restrictions on humanitarian aid, deconflict with the UN and aid agencies, protect civilians and repair vital infrastructure like hospitals and water networks.
'The Prime Minister reiterated that Israel's rightful aim of defeating Hamas would not be achieved by allowing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.'
Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, told his Israeli counterpart that the attack was 'completely unacceptable'. Israel's ambassador to the UK was also summoned to the Foreign Office for a dressing down.
In a strongly worded statement, Sir Keir Starmer said the attack was 'outrageous and unacceptable', adding: 'This war must stop now.'
Some Labour MPs demanded an immediate end to arms sales to Israel. Former shadow justice secretary and Left-winger Richard Burgon said the UK had licensed almost £500million worth of arms sales to Israel and suggested this was 'the latest incident where UK military exports may have been used in attacks on British nationals'.
People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Whitehall sources last night acknowledged that the 'horrendous' attack would make it harder for the Government to maintain its steadfast support for Israel's operation in Gaza.
One insider said: 'This sort of thing just cannot be allowed to happen. We have shown support for Israel but that is contingent on them conducting themselves in a certain way, including acting in line with international humanitarian law.'
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