News

IDF spokesperson pulls out of LBC interview following international aid worker deaths

A spokesperson for The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) pulled out of an interview with LBC at the last minute following the deaths of international aid workers in Gaza.

The UK has called on Israel to “immediately investigate” an air strike amid reports that seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including a British national, were killed on Monday night.

Rishi Sunak told broadcasters during a visit to the north east of England: “We are asking Israel to investigate what happened urgently, because clearly there are questions that need to be answered.”

He added: “My thoughts are with their friends and family.

“They are doing fantastic work bringing alleviation to the suffering that many are experiencing in Gaza.

“They should be praised and commended for what they are doing.

“They need to be allowed to do that work unhindered and it is incumbent on Israel to make sure they can do that.”

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron said the Foreign Office was “working to verify” reports that a British national was among the aid workers killed, adding that the Government wanted “a full, transparent explanation of what happened”.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has “expressed the deepest condolences” to the families of the aid workers, and said it was “reviewing the incident at the highest levels”.

An IDF spokesman said: “We will be opening a probe to examine this serious incident further.

“This will help us reduce the risk of such an event from occurring again.

“The incident will be investigated in the Fact Finding and Assessment Mechanism: an independent, professional, and expert body.”

Related: People should not be arrested ‘just if they smell’ – Cabinet minister

Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Published by