World Central Kitchen calls for independent investigation into Israeli air strike on Gaza aid workers

Humanitarian food charity World Central Kitchen has called for an independent investigation into the Israeli air strike that killed seven of its aid workers, including three British nationals, in Gaza on Monday.

WCK issued a statement on Thursday morning calling for the governments of Australia, Canada, the US, the UK and Poland – the countries from which six of the workers hailed – to join a third-party investigation into the drone bombardment on the charity’s convoy.

The investigation must establish “whether [the drone strikes] were carried out intentionally or otherwise violated international law”, it said in a statement on Thursday.

The charity has said seven of its workers, including a Palestinian driver, were killed by a sustained drone barrage against their marked convoy, after unloading 100 tonnes of food aid from a barge on 1 April.

The victims include British nationals John Chapman, 57, James “Jim” Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47.

The killings have drawn widespread condemnation from world leaders, including rare and forthright criticism of Israel from US president Joe Biden, who said he was “outraged and heartbroken” and accused his ally of not doing enough to protect aid workers.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog has apologised for the deaths and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was unintended and “tragic” while pledging an inquiry.

The charity said it has asked the Israeli government to immediately keep all the records, including documents, communications, video and audio recordings relevant to the strikes.

“An independent investigation is the only way to determine the truth of what happened, ensure transparency and accountability for those responsible, and prevent future attacks on humanitarian aid workers,” the statement added.

The joint statement by chief executive Erin Gore and executive co-chairman Javier Garcia said “the Israeli Defence Forces killed seven humanitarian aid workers” that were employed by the WCK.

“The aid workers killed were nationals of Australia, Canada/US (dual citizen), Gaza, Poland, and the United Kingdom,” it said

“Israel has admitted to the killings but called it a ‘a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants and something that ‘happens in war’,” the statement noted.

The three vehicles that were carrying civilians were targeted with multiple strikes and clearly marked with WCK logos, it said.

“Their movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route, and humanitarian mission,” they said.