UK ‘appalled’ as IDF rules out criminal charges over Gaza aid convoy attack that killed three Brits

The UK government has said it has been left “appalled” by Israel’s decision to bring no criminal action against IDF soldiers responsible for an attack on an aid convoy in Gaza that killed seven people, including three Britons.

Early this week, the IDF confirmed it had decided not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 airstrikes that hit a convoy of World Central Kitchen vehicles, including John Chapman, a 57-year-old British aid worker and military veteran, along with two other experienced workers, James Kirby (47) and James Henderson (33).

In the aftermath of the incident, the families of the victims have publicly criticised the Israeli government for offering “empty apologies” rather than filing criminal charges against those responsible.

Confirming no further criminal action over the killings, the IDF said it had mistaken several individuals in the vehicles for armed Hamas military operatives, and that the convoy deviated from the previously coordinated route.

But it concluded that “the decisions of the commanders did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct”. Two officers were removed from their positions at the time and three others reprimanded.

In response, Middle East minister Stephen Doughty posted on X: “Appalled and angry for the families of John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby after the Israeli authorities decided to bring no criminal action over the fatal strikes on a World Kitchen convoy in Gaza.

“For more than two years, we have pressed the Government of Israel to deliver the justice and accountability that the families deserve. This is not good enough. “We have raised this with the Israeli authorities today and will continue to push for urgent answers. “

The Australian government was similarly frustrated with the outcome, after aid worker Zomi Frankcom was among the seven killed in the strikes.

World Central Kitchen said it strongly disagreed with Israeli officials’ account of the airstrikes and their decision not to pursue a criminal investigation. “There has never been any excuse or justification for the attacks, and there is nothing in this account that does so. The decision is inconsistent with the full truth and deeply offensive,” it said in a statement.

“At the time of the lethal attacks, the IDF knew that our team in Gaza was unarmed and posing a threat to nobody. It had full visual clarity on our clearly marked humanitarian vehicles during the extended, multiple airstrikes. It knew our team’s movements, identities and activities in advance.”

This week’s decision came at the same time as the Israeli military admitted its troops had opened fire on a car carrying five-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajab and six family members in Gaza in 2024.

It confirmed it had ordered a criminal investigation into the killing.

The killing of Hind and her family was one of the most high-profile incidents in a series of incidents involving civilian casualties during the first months of the Gaza conflict, which prompted international outrage.