The family of a British man who was among seven aid workers killed in April in the Gaza Strip by an Israeli airstrike called on the British government today to launch an independent investigation into his death.

James Kirby, 47, was working for the non-governmental organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) when he was killed in Gaza.

An Australian, a Pole, a Canadian-American, two more Britons as well as a Palestinian were also killed in the Israeli strike.

Israel’s military then admitted a “serious mistake”.

“There must be an independent investigation into this attack on innocent aid workers and the evidence must be examined, if necessary, by a court of law,” Louise Kirby, James’ cousin, said on behalf of his family.

“We need to understand how this disaster could have happened,” he added today ahead of a memorial service in Bristol for James Kirby.

Louise Kirby explained that the inquiry is not just about her family, its purpose should be “to find out how Britain looks after its citizens and their families when a British citizen is unlawfully killed by another state”.

The Kirby family were “touched” by letters of condolence they received from King Charles and his wife Camilla, as well as David Cameron, who was foreign secretary when the incident occurred.

“We appreciate the compassion and respect they have shown us, but we also need transparency,” Louise Kirby emphasized. “We need to find out” who is “responsible”, so that “nothing like this happens again”.

The British Foreign Office, in response to a question from AFP, underlined that attacks against aid workers can “never be justified”.

“Israel must guarantee the safety of aid workers and ensure that this tragedy does not happen again,” he added.

James Kirby served in the British Army in Bosnia and Afghanistan before becoming a corporate security consultant. In this capacity he participated in the WCK mission to Gaza.