Three British aid workers killed during Israeli air strikes on their convoy in Gaza all died from blast injuries to their head, chest 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, died in the April 1 attack.
An inquest into the three former British servicemen’s deaths was opened at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol, earlier today. It heard initial post-mortem results and has been adjourned until later this year.
The men, who were providing security for the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), were among seven workers who died while travelling in a convoy in Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza City.
The team’s convoy was hit as they moved food from a warehouse to distribute to Gaza’s starving population – after communicating to Israel that they were working in the area.
James Henderson, 33, (pictured) a former special forces operator and a member of the Royal Marines for six years, was killed in the bombing. He had been providing security for the World Central Kitchen charity in Gaza
James Kirby, 47, (pictured) was among those who tragically died after multiple drone strikes hit their convoy of vehicles in the war zone on Monday
John Chapman, 57, (pictured) is thought to have served in the Special Boat Squadron, part of the UK’s Special Forces
Seven volunteers were killed in a series of strikes in Deir al-Balah, in Gaza, on Monday
As well as the Britons who were killed, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, n Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankom 43, American Jacob Flickinger, 33, and Polish national Damian Sobol, 35, also lost their lives in the devastating attack.
Kirby, who was born in Bristol, was a British army veteran who toured Bosnia and Afghanistan before moving into work as a security consultant.
His friends have paid tribute to him online and at a community gathering last week, described how his death had left a ‘massive void in the lives he touched’.
‘He never used to boast about what he did,’ said Matt Hudd, owner of Trojan Fitness, the gym where Kirby used to train.
‘That’s why we want to honour what a great man he was. It’s unbelievable what that guy has done and everything was always to help others.’
Tributes also poured in for Henderson, a former Royal Marine from Cornwall, who was said to be an avid rugby player for Penryn RFC.
A post described him as a ‘force to be reckoned with’ who ‘commanded the back row with his relentless work ethic which he instilled on to everyone that had the pleasure of playing beside him’.
The post 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 have ever worn the Penryn shirt.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Jim’s family and friends through this tough time.’
Neighbours in Falmouth, Cornwall, told that his family were only informed of his death a day after he was killed.
A close friend said: ‘Everybody is gutted, he was a lovely lad. He hadn’t been out there long, only a couple of weeks.’
On behalf of the family, Henderson’s brother – who declined to be named – told The Times that ‘accountability is the only hope of justice I have’ for his death.
He slammed Israel’s ‘inexcusable behaviour’ and further criticised its allies, saying: ‘It’s unacceptable for our world leaders to 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 subject to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
Wreckage of a World Central Kitchen vehicle in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip after seven aid workers – including three British ex-servicemen – were killed in an Israeli drone strike
The wreckage of one of the World Central Kitchen vehicles hit by Israel shows a gaping hole blown into the roof
‘We request we be given space and time to grieve appropriately. He was loved by many and will forever be a hero. He will be missed dearly’.
Israel ‘will pay compensation to the families of seven aid workers including three ex-forces Brits killed in airstrike after investigation into disaster’, military sources claim – as world condemns IDF bombing
WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said in the wake of the strike that its staff had been traveling in two armoured cars emblazoned with the charity’s logo and another third vehicle when they were hit by Israeli strikes.
The first vehicle was hit by a precision R9X Hellfire missile shortly before midnight. Passengers were seen scrambling from the wreckage and jumping into the other two cars – and telling the IDF they had been hit.
The remaining vehicles were hit after travelling just 1,000 yards up the road, on a street ‘designated for the passage of humanitarian aid, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Shocking aftermath photos showed the cars scorched and badly damaged inside and out.
The third car tried to take the injured to safety but was hit by a drone after making it a mile up the coastal road, killing all seven of the volunteers.
The killings of the humanitarian workers drew global condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden.
The Israeli military accepted responsibility and fired two officers over what it claims was a ‘tragic mistake’.
‘Their apologies for the outrageous killing of our colleagues represent cold comfort,’ said WCK CEO Erin Gore. ‘It’s cold comfort for the victims’ families and WCK’s global family.’
WCK suspended its operations in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where half the population are 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. Some 200 aid workers are reported to have been killed.