The Newshound

IDF and colonel who ordered Gaza strike to be drawn into inquest over deaths of three British aid workers

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026 · last updated 23 September 2026.

A World Central Kitchen convoy, whose aid workers were killed by an IDF drone strike in April 2024, with families of three British victims telling a UK inquest that no one has ever explained why the attack happened.
A World Central Kitchen convoy, whose aid workers were killed by an IDF drone strike in April 2024, with families of three British victims telling a UK inquest that no one has ever explained why the attack happened.
A World Central Kitchen convoy, whose aid workers are at the centre of a UK inquest examining whether the IDF and the colonel who ordered the deadly drone strike should be granted formal legal standing.
A World Central Kitchen convoy, whose aid workers are at the centre of a UK inquest examining whether the IDF and the colonel who ordered the deadly drone strike should be granted formal legal standing.

Senior coroner Maria Voisin has indicated she is minded to grant the IDF and Colonel Nochi Mendel — the officer alleged to have ordered the April 2024 drone strike — formal "interested person" status in the inquest at Avon Coroner's Court. James Kirby, 47, of Bristol, John Chapman, 57, of Poole, and James Henderson, 33, of Falmouth — all former British Armed Forces veterans working for security firm Solace Global — were among seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed when their marked convoy was hit. The coroner's decision, to be confirmed in writing, could also pull in the UK Ministry of Defence and defence firm Elbit Systems over whether British-made weapons were used.

Following the strike, Mendel lost his position and told a TV interviewer he was 'not sorry' for ordering it.

Israel acknowledged a series of failures but ruled out a criminal investigation — a decision the UK, Canada and Australia condemned as 'shameful'.

Families want the inquest to establish what steps, if any, were taken to protect humanitarian workers and whether UK authorities played any role.

MoreThe Jewish ChronicleInquest into World Central Kitchen strike that killed British aid workers likely to examine IDF’s roleJewish News (GNews)Inquest into British aid workers’ deaths in Gaza could widen to include Israeli militaryMiddle East EyeIsraeli and UK army chiefs may take part in inquest into slain British aid workers in Gaza - Middle East EyeBendigo AdvertiserUK inquest to scrutinise aid workers' deaths in Gaza
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