Eight of a team from the Al-Khair Foundation died after being hit by an Israeli drone on Saturday. 

The Foreign Office has failed to back an investigation into the death of eight aid workers in Gaza working for a UK charity. 

On Saturday eight aid workers from the Al-Khair Foundation were killed in an Israeli drone strike, despite a ceasefire remaining in place. 

In a statement, the Al-Khair Foundation, which has an office in Glasgow, said the team had been “killed in violation of the agreed ceasefire in a drone airstrike”.

The charity said the deaths were a “profound tragedy”, with the individuals being killed while  carrying out humanitarian work. 

The Foundation said “a thorough and transparent investigation into this incident” must take place, and said more must be done to ensure “the safety of aid workers who risk their lives to serve vulnerable communities”.

They added: “The international community must act swiftly to prevent further loss of innocent lives and to protect those who selflessly work to bring relief to those in need.”

TFN contacted the Foreign Office for comment, asking on two occassions whether the UK Government had concerns about Israel breaking its ceasefire agreement. 

The department was asked twice what measures the UK Government is taking to protect aid workers in Gaza, following the deaths. 

TFN also asked repeatedly whether the UK Government supports the charity’s calls for an investigation.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office did not respond to these questions, providing only a short statement. 

They said: “It is vital that - in all scenarios - civilians are protected, including journalists and humanitarian organisations, who must be enabled to deliver their essential work in safety.

“It is deeply saddening to hear of further loss of life in Gaza, and the UK is pushing for the ceasefire to continue. This deal remains fragile, and we must build confidence on all sides to sustain the ceasefire and turn it into a lasting peace.”