The family of James Kirby, a British aid worker who died in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza this April, has demanded an independent investigation into his death. Kirby was from Bristol and was one of the seven people who lost their lives in a strike on a World Central Kitchen food convoy. Leaders of many countries criticised it, and Israel branded it as “a grave mistake. ” 

 Kirby, a now ex-serviceman, was part of the security detail guarding the aid workers from the US-based charity. He was another humanitarian soul who, along with two other British nationals, was fatally shot while helping the innocent. Before the memorial service, Kirby’s cousin, Louise Kirby, insisted on getting to the bottom of the mystery and demanded justice. 

 “We have been very grateful for much support we have been accorded,” said Louise Kirby ‘However, we are still looking for answers and someone to pin the blame,’ Kirby stated. She also noted that other family members were equally let down by the lack of any contact from Israel’s ambassador to the UK or any other official there, stressing that the family deserves some answers. 

 ‘We are not alone in this’, she went on. ‘This is how Britain safeguards people and their loved ones when a British citizen is killed unlawfully by another country. ’ 

 In return, the UK government expressed condolences to the families of the aid workers who were killed. A spokesman said, “It was a traumatic occurrence to lose James and his fellow aid workers; our sympathy is still with their families,” The Israeli authorities involved should guarantee the safety of aid workers to avoid such disasters in future. 

 The event has drawn society’s attention to the vulnerabilities of humanitarian personnel in war-torn countries. Last week, US-based aid group Anera said it had lost four members of its team in yet another Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Speaking to international media, Israel said the raid was aimed at armed attackers. Furthermore, the World Food Programme has stopped the circulation of its employees in Gaza following the shooting that roughed up their car at an Israeli checkpoint. 

 It is also unfortunate that other aid workers have also fallen victim to violence in Gaza. In May, the United Nations said it was ‘shocked’ that an Indian security officer was killed and another injured when their vehicle was hit on the way to a hospital in Rafah. 

 Still, the Israeli government to this day has not released a statement regarding the death of James Kirby. His family carries on demanding the federal government make a special investigation to reveal why the innocent humanitarian workers were killed in the attack.