The support employees killed in yesterday’s Israeli strike have been three Britons, a Pole, an Australian, a Canadian-US twin nationwide and a Palestinian.
The three Britons – John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby – have been army veterans offering safety for the World Central Kitchen support mission.
Mr Chapman and Mr Kirby have been former Royal Marines and Mr Henderson was a military veteran.
They labored as personal safety contractors for UK-based agency Solace Global.
Mr Chapman, 57, was a married father of two who had solely been in Gaza a couple of weeks, The Sun reported. There have been no additional particulars on Mr Kirby or Mr Henderson.
The households and associates of a few of the different victims have been talking to numerous information shops world wide. Here is a few of what they’ve mentioned.
Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, 43, was the Australian killed within the strike.
She was born in Melbourne and labored for eight years at an Australian financial institution earlier than transferring into support work with World Central Kitchen 5 years in the past.
Her social media confirmed visits to assist individuals in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania and Haiti.
One of her World Central Kitchen colleagues, Dora Weekly, remembered her being invited to walk a Hollywood crimson carpet for a documentary in regards to the charity that had been nominated for an Emmy.
“I bear in mind getting an image of her in a gown, saying: ‘Hold on to this endlessly’,” she instructed the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
“‘Because often I’m in sweats and runners, and I’m in Pakistan or Afghanistan’ or, you already know, she could possibly be anyplace, and by no means together with her hair performed or make-up performed.
“She labored all hours, she gave every thing, and he or she believed in serving to individuals who have been much less lucky.”
Damian Sobol was the 36-year-old Pole who died.
He had studied hospitality within the Polish metropolis of Przemysl and had been on support missions in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey and – for the previous six months – Gaza.
Marta Wilczynska, of the Free Place Foundation, which cooperates with World Central Kitchen, described him as a “actually extraordinary man”.
Ms Wilczynska met Mr Sobol on the Polish facet of the Ukrainian border simply after Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
She mentioned he spoke English effectively, was a translator and a talented supervisor who may organise work in any situations.
“Always smiling, all the time so useful, he beloved this job. I felt I had a brother in him,” she added.
Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 27, was Palestinian and had labored for World Central Kitchen as a driver and translator for the reason that starting of the 12 months, relations mentioned.
He had been a profitable businessman who had carried out trades with Ukraine, Egypt, China and others, his brother Abdul Razzaq Abu Taha mentioned.
His work made him recognized on the Israeli facet, which helped in coordination and approval to help the World Central Kitchen staff in unloading the ship.
Mr Abu Taha had hoped to get married and his mom was searching for a spouse for him, his brother mentioned, including: “He was purported to get married if the warfare did not occur.”
Abdul mentioned he had acquired a closing name from Saifeddin simply after the help crew had unloaded their meals in Gaza, telling him that they had completed the job and he was heading home.
After the strike, Abdul had tried to name his brother however a stranger had picked up the cellphone, saying: “I discovered this cellphone about 200 metres away from the automobile. All of the individuals inside are killed.”
