Seven aid workers including a British man have been killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza, the World Central Kitchen charity has confirmed.

The team from the charity and their Palestinian driver were killed in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah when their vehicle was struck on Monday, local media reported, after the group helped deliver food and other supplies to the region.

Harrowing footage shared online appeared to show the bodies of the dead at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Several of them wore protective gear with the charity's logo. The IDF said it has launched a probe into the incident at the 'highest levels' and reiterated that not only has been it 'working closely' with the charity, but also 'makes extensive efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid'. IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari later said in a statement that he had 'expressed the deepest condolences of the Israel Defense Forces to the families and the entire World Central Kitchen family'.

Britain's Foreign Office said it was 'aware' of a report that a British aid worker had been killed in Gaza. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Gaza and are urgently seeking further information.'

WCK CEO Erin Gore said this morning: 'This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable. 'I am heartbroken and appalled that we—World Central Kitchen and the world—lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF. 'The love they had for feeding people, the determination they embodied to show that humanity rises above all, and the impact they made in countless lives will forever be remembered and cherished.' The Australian victim was named this morning as Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankcom, 44, from Melbourne.

Its statement said the team was travelling in two armoured cars 'branded with the WCK logo and a soft skin vehicle.' It added: 'Despite coordinating movements with the IDF, the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route.'

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