Israel must stop killing civilians ‘today’, aid group founder says after employees killed

Israel must stop killing civilians “today”, the celebrity founder of an aid group said, after seven of his employees were killed in an Israeli air strike on Monday.

José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen organisation has been sending supplies to civilians in Gaza, called on Israel to “start the long journey to peace” and said it should stop using food as a “weapon of war”.

Three British nationals were among the aid workers killed on Monday when an Israeli drone fired missiles at their vehicles, which were marked with the aid group’s logo. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said the strike was “unintentional”.

“Israel is better than the way this war is being waged,” Mr Andrés wrote in The New York Times. “It is better than blocking food and medicine to civilians. It is better than killing aid workers who had coordinated their movements with the Israel Defence Forces.”

He continued: “The Israeli government needs to open more land routes for food and medicine today. It needs to stop killing civilians and aid workers today. It needs to start the long journey to peace today.”

Mr Andrés also paid tribute to his former employees as “the best of humanity” and “more than heroes”.

03:00 PM BST

That’s all for now

Thanks for following our coverage as the fallout continues from the deaths of seven aid workers in an Israeli drone strike. We’ll be back tomorrow with all the latest stories from the Middle East. This live blog is now closed.

02:58 PM BST

British aid worker killed by ‘inhumane act’, family says

A British aid worker was killed by an “inhumane act” following an Israeli strike of a convoy, his family said in a statement.

John Chapman, 57, who is said to have served in the Royal Marines, died in the bombing of an aid convoy in Gaza on Monday.

His family said in a statement: “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.”

James Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, were named alongside Mr Chapman as the three British citizens that were killed by an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) attack.

02:19 PM BST

Why Israel’s aid convoy bombing comes at a perilous time for Netanyahu

The attack on a convoy that killed seven aid workers could not have come at a worse time for Israel’s embattled prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Having watched tens of thousands of anti-government protesters take to the streets of Jerusalem over the weekend calling for a ceasefire to free dozens of hostages, he faced international condemnation after admitting an “unintended strike...on innocent people” had killed the humanitarian workers.

John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, said the US was “outraged” to hear of Monday night’s strikes that killed three British citizens, as well as Polish and Australia nationals, a Canadian-American and a Palestinian.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, told Mr Netanyahu he was “appalled” and demanded an investigation.

Read the full story from Andrew Buncombe here.

01:49 PM BST

Government must publish advice about exporting to Israel

The Government must urgently publish any advice it has received about exporting arms to Israel, Rachel Reeves has said.

Asked whether there was a case for the UK to halt arms exports, the shadow chancellor told reporters in London: “We have urged the Government to urgently publish any reports that they have on the abidance with international law.

“The international law is clear that where arms sales are at risk of being used for purposes not consistent with international law, they shouldn’t happen.

“That is why now we are asking the Government to urgently publish the evidence that they have.”

01:24 PM BST

Bodies of six slain aid workers leave Gaza

The bodies of six of the seven foreign aid workers killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza have been transported out of the enclave, according to Egyptian state media.

01:17 PM BST

Sunak told Netanyahu that UK has ‘careful export licensing regime’

Rishi Sunak said he has “been consistently clear” with Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel must protect civilian lives, adding that the UK has a “careful export licensing regime”.

The Prime Minister told The Sun: “I think we’ve always had a very careful export licensing regime that we adhere to.

“There are a set of rules, regulations and procedures that we’ll always follow, and I have been consistently clear with prime minister Netanyahu since the start of this conflict that while of course we defend Israel’s right to defend itself and its people against attacks from Hamas, they have to do that in accordance with international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives and, sadly, too many civilians have already lost their lives.”

01:14 PM BST

Family pay tribute to ‘genuine gentleman’ killed by Israeli missile

The family of James Kirby, one of three British citizens killed in an Israeli strike, has paid tribute to the former Army rifleman and sniper marksman.

Mr Kirby was called a “genuine gentleman” who lost his life trying to help others in the statement.

They said: “Despite the risks, his compassionate nature drove him to offer assistance to those in dire need.

“A genuine gentleman, James was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, even in the face of senseless violence. 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.”

James Henderson, 33, and John Chapman, 57, who are both said to have served in the Royal Marines, were named alongside Mr Kirby as the three Britons who had died in the bombing of a convoy.

01:11 PM BST

Feeding strangers is a sign of strength, says World Central Kitchen founder

The founder of World Central Kitchen, whose staff were killed in an airstrike, has said feeding strangers is a “sign of strength”.

Mr Andrés, who owns several restaurants across the US, called on the “best of Israel to show up” after the “worst terrorist attack in its history”.

He said: “We welcome the government’s promise of an investigation into how and why members of our World Central Kitchen family were killed. That investigation needs to start at the top, not just the bottom.

“It is not a sign of weakness to feed strangers; it is a sign of strength. The people of Israel need to remember, at this darkest hour, what strength truly looks like.”

12:59 PM BST

Islamic Relief will continue operations in Gaza despite deaths of aid workers

Islamic Relief, the UK founded charity, has said it will continue operations as normal in Gaza, following the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in an Israeli air strike on Monday.

Islamic Relief said in a statement: “Our own operations continue but our staff are at constant risk alongside every other Palestinian civilian in Gaza.

“As long as the bombardment continues, all aid delivery remains difficult and perilous.

“Our team in Gaza are local Palestinians who themselves have been displaced and have had to live and work in under constant threat for the last six months.”

12:44 PM BST

Israel’s ambassador to UK offers ‘deepest condolences’

Israel’s ambassador to the UK has offered her “deepest condolences” to the families and friends of the three Britons killed in an air strike in Gaza, which she described as a “tragic mistake”.

In a statement posted on X, Tzipi Hotovely said: “My deepest condolences go to the families and friends of John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby - the three British nationals unintentionally killed in Gaza while on an @WCKitchen aid mission.

“This was a tragic mistake that followed misidentification and should not have happened.”

12:37 PM BST

Founder of World Central Kitchen calls on Israel to be better

José Andrés, the celebrity chef, restaurateur and founder of World Central Kitchen, said Israel is “better than the war it is waging”.

Seven of Mr Andrés’ staff were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Monday.

Writing in the New York Times, he said: Israel is better than the way this war is being waged. It is better than blocking food and medicine to civilians. It is better than killing aid workers who had coordinated their movements with the Israel Defense Forces.”

Mr Andrés added: “The Israeli government needs to open more land routes for food and medicine today. It needs to stop killing civilians and aid workers today. It needs to start the long journey to peace today.

12:32 PM BST

Ed Davey calls for UK to suspend arms sales to Israel

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, has called on the Government to suspend arms sales to Israel following the deaths of seven aid workers in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.

Sir Ed said: “The deaths of these British aid workers in Gaza is an absolute disgrace. These brave people were trying to help starving families in Gaza.

“Clearly, the thought that British-made arms could have been used in strikes such as these is completely unacceptable.

“The Government must take swift action to suspend arms exports to Israel. We must redouble our efforts to secure an immediate bilateral ceasefire.”

12:02 PM BST

Profile: James Kirby worked as Wimbledon player escort and Monaco Grand Prix security

James Kirby, a former British Army sniper marksman and rifleman, described himself as having a “calm demeanour under extreme pressure”.

The military veteran spent years working as a close protection officer, most recently as a security consultant for “risk management and security specialists” Solace Global, according to his LinkedIn.

He also worked as a players escort at Wimbledon as well as for high-net worth individuals and business leaders. Mr Kirby also provided security at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.

Mr Kirby described himself as being able to maintain a “calm demeanour under extreme pressure, including life-threatening situations”.

He was “experienced in working in varied theatres across the globe, both on land and at sea, including hostile and austere locations”.

11:40 AM BST

Pictured: James Kirby who was killed in an Israel airstrike

11:25 AM BST

Lord Cameron welcomes Israel investigation into strike

Lord Cameron welcomed a pledge from Israel to fully investigate the strike on an aid convoy, and urged the nation to ensure more aid is able to get into Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary said: “I welcome what the Israeli foreign minister said yesterday to me about a full, urgent and transparent inquiry into how this dreadful event was allowed to happen, and we want to see that happen very quickly.

“I also welcome the fact he spoke about much more aid getting into Gaza, up to 500 trucks a day.

“That is essential, we have been promised these things before and it really needs to happen, including longer opening times at the vital crossing points.

“But, of course, the extra aid won’t work unless there is proper deconfliction, unless aid can be taken around Gaza and we avoid the dreadful incidents like we have seen in the last couple of days.

“That is vital and Britain will be watching very closely to make sure that that happens.”

11:07 AM BST

Lord Cameron calls killing of aid workers ‘dreadful’

Lord Cameron has described the killings of the aid workers as “dreadful” and said “we should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers”.

As he arrived at a Nato meeting in Brussels, the Foreign Secretary said: “The dreadful events of the last two days are a moment when we should mourn the loss of these brave humanitarian workers, including the three British citizens that tragically were killed.

“We should also send our condolences to their families and our thoughts should be with them.”

10:48 AM BST

There should have been a ‘process’ involving senior officers before selecting ‘target’

Military sources have told the Telegraph that there should have been a “process” involving senior officers before a “target” was selected.

An intelligence officer should have had to have a sign off from an IDF [Israel Defense Forces] commander and a legal officer before sanctioning any attack, said the source.

The source insisted that the drone strike on the convoy had been signed off. This will raise questions about the quality of the intelligence and the prospect that a drone operator went rogue.

They also said IDF suspicions were further heightened by the convoy travelling at night. The source suggested that the strike was aimed at a specific car in the convoy and that the target was missed first time, prompting a further strike.

Although the IDF insists the investigation into what went wrong is still ongoing, the source told the Telegraph that the order of events are typically pieced together within 24 hours.

10:18 AM BST

Watch: IDF chief apologises for Israeli strike which killed three Britons

10:02 AM BST

IDF chief sorry for ‘mistake’ after strike kills British aid workers

Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, has apologised for a series of strikes in Gaza that killed seven aid workers including three from Britain.

Three vehicles belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian group delivering food to the besieged enclave, were hit by missiles fired from an Israeli drone on Monday.

“This incident was a grave mistake. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the people of Gaza,” Mr Halevi said. “We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK.”

The IDF chief said the strikes were “a mistake that followed a misidentification”.

The apology came after Rishi Sunak told Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, that he was “appalled” by the killings of the humanitarian workers and called for an investigation into their deaths.

09:34 AM BST

Drone pilots had the means to swerve the bombs away, but chose not to

It was not a single rogue missile that killed seven aid workers on the coast road in central Gaza between 10 and 11pm on Monday night but three precisely targeted missiles.

According to unnamed Israeli security sources who briefed the local media, they were dropped in succession from a Hermes 450 drone with sophisticated night sights and deliberately guided down on to the three clearly marked humanitarian vehicles travelling below.

Read the full story here. 

09:17 AM BST

Aid worker attack ‘puts solidarity with Israel to the test’, says Polish PM

Solidarity with Israel is being tested following the IDF strike on aid workers, according to the Polish prime minister.

Donald Tusk said the killing of seven humanitarian workers, including one Polish national and three Britons, was putting the support of  Israel “to a really hard test”.

Addressing Benjamin Netanyahu on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “The vast majority of Poles showed full solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack.

“Today you are putting this solidarity to a really hard test.

“The tragic attack on volunteers and your reaction arouse understandable anger.”

08:58 AM BST

Sunak ‘appalled’ by killing of three British aid workers in IDF strike

Rishi Sunak told Benjamin Netanyahu he was “appalled” by the killing of three British citizens in an Israeli strike as he described the situation in Gaza as “intolerable”.

In a call with the Israeli prime minister on Tuesday night, Mr Sunak demanded answers and called for a “thorough and transparent independent investigation” after aid workers were killed.

James Henderson, 33, and John Chapman, 57, who are both said to have served in the Royal Marines, were named alongside James Kirby, a former Army rifleman and sniper marksman, as the three Britons who had died in the bombing of a convoy.

Read the full story here.

08:41 AM BST

Strike killing three British citizens ‘intentional’

An Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers, including three British citizens, appears “intentional”, according to a humanitarian organisation.

Derek Madsen from Anera, an American agency that has paused its aid operations in Gaza after a member of its own staff was killed last month, said the deaths didn’t appear to be a mistake.

He told BBC Radio 4: “It appears more intentional. I’m not saying I don’t believe this was a mistake, but I’m waiting for evidence to demonstrate that.

He added: “Because it seems to me when you look at the evidence to not be that.”

Anera was providing 130,000 meals a day in humanitarian aid but ceased after concerns about staff safety.

08:15 AM BST

Israel has ‘gone too far’

The UK and US believe Israel has “gone too far” in its war against Hamas, according to the shadow Treasury minister.

Asked if Darren Jones would support the UK ending arms sales to Israel, he told Good Morning Britain: “If the UK stopped supplying arms, the war would not end. What we need to do is get the parties to a position where the fighting can stop.”

Mr Jones added: “What we’ve seen from president Biden, from Keir Starmer, and now from Lord Cameron, our own Foreign Secretary, is that countries that supported Israel’s right to defend itself and to recover its hostages from Hamas terrorists in Gaza, have all said that you’ve gone too far.”

He then called for an end to the war and said an international effort to get aid to those who need it is required urgently.

07:58 AM BST

The time has come to stop selling weapons to Israel, says former national security adviser

Lord Ricketts, the former permanent secretary of the foreign office, has said the time has come to stop selling weapons to Israel.

“In my view yes we’ve reached that point [at which Britain should stop supplying Israel with arms],” he told BBC 4’s Today programme. “I think it would be a signal that for the UK, Israel has not been taking seriously enough its intentional law obligations.”

The retired senior diplomat’s comments come after an IDF strike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza, including three Britons, has triggered a wave of international outrage.

He said: “Sometimes in conflict you get a moment where there is such global outrage that it crystalizes a sense that things can’t go on like this. I hope that this awful incident will serve that purpose.”

“I hope it would create some further pressure for what is really needed here, which is an immediate ceasefire for an extended period.”