Three British aid workers killed in the Israeli airstrike on Gaza died of injuries to their heads, chest and limbs, the inquest has heard.
Three British aid workers killed during Israeli airstrikes on their convoy in Gaza all died of explosive injuries to their heads, chests and limbs, an inquest has heard.
James Kirby, 47, from Street in Somerset, James Henderson, 33, from Falmouth in Cornwall and John Chapman, 57, from Poole in Dorset, were killed in the April 1 attack.
An inquest into the deaths of the three former British soldiers was opened earlier today at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol. It heard the first post-mortem results and has been postponed until later this year.
The men, who provided security for the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), were among seven workers killed while traveling in a convoy in Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza City.
The team’s convoy was hit as they were taking food from a warehouse to distribute to the starving people of Gaza – after reporting to Israel that they were working in the area.
James Henderson, 33, (pictured) former Special Forces operator and six-year member of the Royal Marines, was killed in the bombing. He provided security for the World Central Kitchen charity in Gaza
James Kirby, 47, (pictured) was among those tragically killed after multiple drone strikes hit their convoy of vehicles in the war zone on Monday
John Chapman, 57, (pictured) is believed to have served in the Special Boat Squadron, part of the British Special Forces
Seven volunteers were killed in a series of attacks in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Monday
In addition to the British people killed, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, Australian Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankom 43, American Jacob Flickinger, 33, and Polish Damian Sobol, 35, were also killed in the devastating attack.
Born in Bristol, Kirby was a British army veteran who toured Bosnia and Afghanistan before taking a job as a security adviser.
His friends have paid tribute to him online, describing at a community meeting last week how his death had left a “huge void in the lives he touched”.
“He never bragged about what he did,” said Matt Hudd, owner of Trojan Fitness, the gym where Kirby trained.
‘That’s why we want to honor what a great man he was. It’s incredible what that man has done and everything was always meant to help others.’
Tributes were also paid to Henderson, a former Royal Marine from Cornwall who was said to be a keen rugby player for Penryn RFC.
One post described him as a “force to be reckoned with” who “controlled the back row with his relentless work ethic that he instilled in everyone who had the pleasure of playing alongside him.”
The message read: ‘It comes with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jim Henderson. We have lost one of the kindest, toughest and most loyal players to ever wear the Penryn shirt.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Jim’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Neighbors in Falmouth, Cornwall, told MailOnline that his family were only informed of his death a day after he was killed.
A close friend said: ‘Everyone is gutted, he was a lovely boy. He hadn’t been there that long, just a few weeks.’
On behalf of the family, Henderson’s brother – who declined to be named – spoke out The times that “accountability is the only hope for justice I have” for his death.
He denounced Israel’s “inexcusable behavior” and further criticized its allies, saying, “It is unacceptable that our world leaders ignore this gross miscarriage of justice.”
Meanwhile, the family of former SBS operator Chapman said in a statement following news of his death: ‘We are devastated to have lost John, who was killed in Gaza.
“He died trying to help people and was subjected to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
Wreckage of a World Central Kitchen vehicle in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, after seven aid workers – including three British ex-soldiers – were killed in an Israeli drone strike
The wreckage of one of the Israeli-hit World Central Kitchen vehicles shows a gaping hole blown in the roof
“We request that we be given space and time to grieve appropriately. He was loved by many and will always be a hero. He will be greatly missed.”
WCK, founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said in the aftermath of the strike that staff had been traveling in two armored cars bearing the charity’s logo and another third vehicle when they were hit by Israeli attacks.
The first vehicle was hit by a precision R9X Hellfire missile shortly before midnight. Passengers were seen climbing out of the wreckage and jumping into the other two cars – telling the IDF that they had been hit.
The remaining vehicles were hit after driving just 900 meters away, on a street “designated for the passage of humanitarian aid”, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
Shocking aftermath photos showed the cars scorched inside and out and badly damaged.
The third car attempted to carry the injured to safety but was struck by a drone after driving a mile along the coastal road, killing all seven volunteers.
The killings of humanitarian workers led to worldwide condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden.
The Israeli army accepted responsibility and fired two officers for what they said was a “tragic mistake.”
“Their apology for the outrageous murder of our colleagues represents cold comfort,” said WCK CEO Erin Gore. “It is cold comfort to the families of the victims and the global family of WCK.”
WCK has suspended its activities in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where half the population is believed to be at risk of ‘imminent’ famine.
More than 34,000 people have been killed in the enclave since the war broke out on October 7, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. About 200 aid workers are reported to have been killed.