UK Declines to Condemn Israeli Drone Strike That Killed British Charity Workers in Gaza
London (Quds News Network)- The UK Foreign Office has refused to condemn an Israeli drone strike that killed eight volunteers from the UK-based Al-Khair Foundation in northern Gaza, reported the Middle East Eye. The attack, which targeted a relief team setting up tents for displaced Palestinians, also killed three journalists and injured several others.
Qasim Rashid Ahmad, founder of Al-Khair Foundation, said the journalists were hit as they returned to their car. Moments later, an Israeli drone struck the aid workers who had rushed to help.
When asked if it would condemn the attack, a Foreign Office spokesperson only expressed sadness over the loss of life and stressed the importance of protecting civilians, journalists, and humanitarian workers.
Hamas called the strike a “horrific massacre” and a “dangerous escalation” that violates international law. The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center identified the slain journalists as Bilal Abu Matar, Mahmoud Al-Sarraj, Bilal Aqila, and Mahmoud Isleem, stating they were documenting relief efforts.
The Israeli military claimed it had targeted “terrorists” operating a drone but provided no evidence. Al-Khair Foundation strongly denied the allegations.
British MP Shockat Adam called the attack shocking and pledged to demand an independent investigation. Wajid Akhter, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, called the killing of humanitarian workers a “flagrant violation of international law” and urged the UK government to condemn Israel’s actions.
