The Israeli military has dismissed two officers over drone strikes that killed seven aid workers, including three Brits.
The first strike was a case of false identity; the second and then the third were “grave mistakes”. Three Britons – John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby – were all killed in the attack on Monday.
35-year-old Damian Sobol from Poland, Australian Zomi Franckom, dual US-Canadian national Jacob Flickinger, and their young Palestinian driver Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, also died.
The 72-hour investigation has now revealed a series of catastrophic mistakes, with Israel’s military adding the strike ‘should not have happened’.
The convoy was hit while leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid taken to Gaza on the maritime route, WCK said.
The attack has drawn international condemnation of what Israel called an “unintended strike”, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak telling Benjamin Netanyahu he was appalled by the killings and demanding a thorough and transparent independent investigation.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper’s Never Mind The Ballots show, Mr Sunak described the aid workers’ deaths as “an awful, awful tragedy”.
On Wednesday, Lord David Cameron described the killings as “dreadful” and said “we should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers”.
Israeli prime minister Mr Netanyahu described the attack as unintended and “tragic” and pledged an independent inquiry.
The family of Mr Chapman, who is believed to have been a former marine and father-of-two from Dorset, said he “will forever be a hero” and died “trying to help people”.
In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, they said: “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.
“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.”
The family of Mr Kirby, a military veteran who is believed to be a former member of Britain’s special forces, said he was a “genuine gentleman” who was “always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone”.
They told the BBC: “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.
“James lost his life trying to save others, he will never know what a void he has left, our family will never be the same.”