King Charles has asked to be kept personally updated on the killing of three British aid workers in an Israeli strike in Gaza, it has been reported.
James Kirby, 47, John Chapman, 57, and James "Jim" Henderson, 33, were among the seven killed after Israeli forces hit a World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy in Gaza.
Also killed were American-Canadian dual citizen Jacob Flickinger, 33, Australian national Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, 43, who was the leader of the relief team, Polish national Damian Sobol, 35, and Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, 25.
The King has taken a keen interest in developments and foreign office staff posted to the Middle East received a memo from Charles asking that he be kept up to date as the tragic news broke on Tuesday morning, the MailOnline reports.
Charles asked that he be kept in the loop throughout the week as investigations get underway into why the Israeli forces targeted the seven aid workers.
An email sent on his behalf requested an update at 4pm on Tuesday as well as another update later in the week.
The news comes after the families of the British aid workers killed paid moving tributes to them, describing them as “heroes”.
Mr Kirby’s family said the Armed Forces veteran was a “genuine gentleman”.
“Alongside the other six individuals who tragically lost their lives, he will be remembered as a hero,” the family said in a statement to the BBC.The family of John Chapman added: “We are devastated to have lost John, who was killed in Gaza. He died trying to help people and was subject to an inhumane act. He was an incredible father, husband, son and brother.”
The World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy was hit as it left the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tonnes of humanitarian food aid taken to Gaza on the maritime route.
Paying tribute to those who died, the WCK remembered them as “seven beautiful souls”.
The charity's chief executive Erin Gore said: "These seven beautiful souls were killed by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in a strike as they were returning from a full day's mission.
"Their smiles, laughter, and voices are forever embedded in our memories. And we have countless memories of them giving their best selves to the world. We are reeling from our loss. The world's loss."
Announcing the results of a preliminary investigation early on Wednesday, IDF spokesperson Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said: “It was a mistake that followed a misidentification - at night during a war in very complex conditions. It shouldn't have happened."
He added that an independent body would conduct a "thorough investigation" which is to be completed in the coming days.
The deaths have caused outrage among Israel’s allies, with Britain summoning the Israeli ambassador to London to express its “unequivocal condemnation”.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has said he was "outraged and heartbroken" by the deaths and called for a swift and transparent investigation.
During a phone call with Israel's prime minister, Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the killings and demanded a thorough and transparent independent investigation.
