Israel admits ''grave mistake'' in airstrike killing British volunteers

Three British aid workers killed in Gaza have been identified following an airstrike that Israel has acknowledged as a ''grave mistake.''

As reported by Sky News, John Chapman, James Kirby, and James Henderson were among seven volunteers from World Central Kitchen who tragically lost their lives when the convoy they were traveling in was hit.

Israel Defense Forces stated that the strike was not intended to target aid workers and assured that a thorough investigation into the incident would be conducted in the coming days. An official acknowledged the error, attributing it to misidentification amid the complexities of nighttime warfare.

The casualties also included Melbourne-born Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankcom, Palestinian national Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, Damian Sobol from Poland, and dual US-Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger. Notably, documents revealed that Mr. Chapman, 57, had plans to depart the Palestinian territory on the day of the fatal airstrike.

The three British nationals were part of World Central Kitchen's security team, aiding in the distribution of recently arrived aid from Cyprus. Alongside them, individuals from Poland, Australia, the US, Canada, and Palestine perished in the attack.

Erin Gore, the charity's chief executive, expressed profound grief, remembering the volunteers' dedication and compassion. President Joe Biden echoed the sentiment, condemning the tragedy and emphasizing the victims' bravery in serving civilians during conflict.

In response to the incident, President Biden criticized Israel's failure to adequately protect aid workers, emphasizing the broader challenge of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the responsibility of Israeli forces, pledging to prevent such occurrences in the future through thorough investigation and diplomatic efforts.

[With information sourced from Sky News]