The death of seven aid workers, including two British nationals, in an Israeli airstrike has led to international criticism and calls for an inquiry into the UK’s military exports to Israel.
The deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza, including British nationals James Henderson and James Kirby, during an Israeli airstrike have sparked international outcry and scrutiny. The aid workers were part of a World Central Kitchen convoy targeted as they returned from a humanitarian mission. Following the incident, Israel’s military admitted to a “grave mistake,” leading to the dismissal of two officers and reprimands for two others. The Israeli Defense Forces stated that the fatal attack resulted from misidentification, believing the aid workers’ vehicles were associated with Hamas operatives.
James Henderson’s brother condemned his death as “inexcusable” and criticized the British government’s arms sales to Israel. The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, expressed his “appallment” at the incident. Moreover, calls for an independent inquiry into the attack and the legality of UK’s military exports to Israel, currently totalling nearly £57m since 2022, have intensified, with over 600 lawyers petitioning for the suspension of weapon export licenses to Israel in light of potential breaches of international law.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the deaths of aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, as “deeply insensitive,” demanding accountability for the incident. Israeli actions have drawn criticism internationally, with US President Joe Biden urging for measures to ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers in the region.
In response to growing pressure, Israel announced the reopening of a crucial border crossing into northern Gaza to increase the flow of humanitarian aid, aligning with global calls for action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 33,000.
The tragic loss of humanitarian workers has highlighted the perils faced in conflict zones and ignited discussions regarding the need for stringent adherence to international humanitarian laws to protect civilians and aid workers.
