Family of Brit ex-Army sniper James Kirby killed in Gaza airstrike pay tribute to hero who ‘died trying to save others’

THE heartbroken family of one of three Brits accidentally killed by the IDF in Gaza have described him as a “genuine gentleman” in a tribute. Former Army sniper James Kirby died when a car convoy he was travelling in with other World Central Kitchen volunteers was bombed in Gaza. wck.orgJames Kirby was killed in Gaza[/caption] Aid workers from the charity were delivering aid on Monday when their three-car convoy was “unintentionally” hit by Israeli drone missiles. James was killed alongside six others, including two Brits – former Special Boat Service hero John Chapman, 57, and ex-Royal Marine James Henderson, 33. His devastated family have said they “incredibly proud of who James was and what he achieved” in a tribute. 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 previously served as a sniper marksman and rifleman for the British Army. Another victim of the strike, dad-of-two John Chapman, was last night described as a “very popular bloke”. The Special Forces hero, from Poole, had been in Gaza only a few weeks after stints in the Middle East. A former comrade paid tribute yesterday, saying: “He was a very well-liked guy, a very popular bloke and this is a huge loss for his family, his friends and for the veteran community. “People trying to deliver aid into Gaza are doing the right thing and they need support and protection from people like John and his colleagues to do their job.” A friend of Mr Henderson, of Truro, Cornwall, said: “Everybody is gutted, he was a lovely lad. He’d been there a few weeks.” The three Brits worked for security firm Solace Global and were delivering food for US-based aid agency World Central Kitchen. They were in a deconflicted zone and had informed Israel Defense Forces of their movements so should have been safe. But shortly after setting off from an aid warehouse in the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah they were hit on the coastal Al Rashid road. Israeli media said an IDF unit believed they had seen an armed figure entering the warehouse. Suspecting Hamas terrorists were using the convoy as cover, they fired on the WCK cars — two armoured and one soft-skin vehicle. Along with three Brits, the other victims were Polish, Australian, a Palestinian driver and a dual US-Canadian citizen. Israel’s high-ranking officer has since apologised after his forces killed the seven aid workers. He insisted: “Israel is at war with Hamas, not the people of Gaza.” Halevi said the strike happened in “complex conditions” – but offered no further insight. He said: “This incident was a grave mistake. “I want to be very clear – the strike was not carried out with the intention of harming WCK aid workers. “It was a mistake that followed a misidentification – at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened.” Halevi said IDF said a probe had been launched into the bombing and the conclusion would be implemented immediately – and shared with WCK. He added: “We will continue taking immediate actions to ensure that more is done to protect humanitarian aid workers.” PM Rishi Sunak last night told Netanyahu he was appalled by the strike and said Israel’s aim of defeating Hamas would not be achieved by allowing a humanitarian disaster. He added: “We are asking Israel to investigate what happened urgently. “Clearly there are questions that need to be answered.”