Three British aid workers who were killed during Israeli airstrikes on their convoy in Gaza died from blast injuries to the head, chest and limbs, an inquest has heard.
James Kirby, 47, from Street in Somerset, James Henderson, 33, from Falmouth in Cornwall and John Chapman, 57, from Poole in Dorset, died in the attack on April 1.
An inquest into the deaths of the three former British servicemen opened today at Avon Coroner’s Court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol. He heard the initial autopsy results and it was adjourned until later this year.
The men, who were providing security for the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity, were among seven workers who died while traveling in a convoy in Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza City.
The team’s convoy was hit while they were moving food from a warehouse to distribute to the hungry population of Gaza, after informing Israel that they were working in the area.
James Henderson, 33 (pictured), a former special forces operator and member of the Royal Marines for six years, died in the bombing. He had been providing security for the World Central Kitchen charity in Gaza.
James Kirby, 47 (pictured), was among those tragically killed after multiple drone strikes hit his convoy of vehicles in the war zone on Monday.
John Chapman, 57 (pictured), is believed to have served in the Special Boat Squadron, part of the UK Special Forces.
Seven volunteers were killed in a series of attacks in Deir al-Balah in Gaza on Monday
In addition to the British killed, Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25, Australian Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankom, 43, American Jacob Flickinger, 33, and Polish Damian also lost their lives in the devastating attack. Sobol, 35 years old.
Kirby, who was born in Bristol, was a British Army veteran who toured Bosnia and Afghanistan before taking up work as a security consultant.
Friends paid tribute to him online and, at a community meeting last week, described how his death had left a “huge hole in the lives he touched”.
“He never used to brag about what he did,” said Matt Hudd, owner of Trojan Fitness, the gym where Kirby used to train.
‘That’s why we want to honor the great man he was. “It’s incredible what that guy has done and everything was always to help others.”
Tributes also poured in for Henderson, a former Royal Marine from Cornwall, who was said to be an avid rugby player for Penryn RFC.
One publication described him as a “force to be reckoned with” who “dominated the back row with his tireless work ethic that he instilled in all who had the pleasure of playing alongside him.”
The post read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jim Henderson. We have lost one of the kindest, toughest and most loyal players to ever wear the Penryn shirt.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Jim’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Neighbors in Falmouth, Cornwall, told MailOnline his family were only informed of his death a day after he died.
A close friend said: “Everyone is devastated, he was a lovely lad.” He hadn’t been there long, just a couple of weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Henderson’s brother, who did not want to be identified, said The times that “accountability is the only hope for justice I have” for his death.
He criticized Israel’s “inexcusable behavior” and further criticized its allies, saying: “It is unacceptable for our world leaders to ignore this serious miscarriage of justice.”
Meanwhile, the family of former SBS operator Chapman said in a statement following news of his death: “We are devastated to have lost John, who was killed in Gaza.
‘He died trying to help people and was subjected to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.
Remains of a World Central Kitchen vehicle in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, after seven aid workers, including three former British military personnel, were killed in an Israeli drone strike.
The remains of one of the World Central Kitchen vehicles hit by Israel show a huge hole in the roof.
‘We request that we be given space and time to grieve appropriately. He was loved by many and he will always be a hero. “We will miss him very much.”
WCK, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, said in the wake of the attack that its staff were traveling in two armored vehicles emblazoned with the charity’s logo and a third vehicle when they were hit by the Israeli strikes.
The first vehicle was hit by an R9X Hellfire precision missile shortly before midnight. The passengers were seen climbing out of the rubble and jumping into the other two cars, and telling the IDF that they had been hit.
The remaining vehicles were hit after traveling just 1,000 meters up the road, on a street “designated for the passage of humanitarian aid,” according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Shocking photographs later showed the cars charred and severely damaged inside and out.
The third car attempted to carry the injured to safety, but was hit by a drone after traveling a mile along the coastal road, killing all seven volunteers.
The killings of aid workers sparked global condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden.
The Israeli military accepted responsibility and fired two officers for what it says was a “tragic mistake.”
“Their apology for the shocking murder of our colleagues is of little comfort,” said Erin Gore, executive director of WCK. “It is of little consolation to the families of the victims and the global WCK family.”
WCK has suspended operations in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where half the population is believed to be at risk of “imminent” famine.
More than 34,000 people have been killed in the enclave since the war broke out on October 7, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Some 200 aid workers have reportedly died.