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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaWho were the World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza?Published40 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Australian aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom (seen on the left), who was killed in Gaza, was seen in this recent WCK videoBy Hafsa Khalil & Rushdi AbualoufBBC NewsSeven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) have been killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza, the charity’s founder said on Tuesday.The victims were British, Polish, Australian, Palestinian and also included a dual US-Canadian citizen, WCK said.A journalist working for the BBC in Gaza has seen the bodies of three international aid workers and the Palestinian member of the team. The passports of the three showed them to be from Australia, Poland and the UK.Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that the Israeli military hit “innocent people”, describing it as tragic and unintentional.”It happens in war, we check it to the end, we are in contact with the governments, and we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again,” he said in a video message.Here’s what we know about the aid workers killed.Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom Ms Frankcom died “doing the work she loves”, her family said in a statement.The aid worker from Melbourne, Australia was described as a “kind, selfless and outstanding human being [who] travelled the world helping others in their time of need”.”She will leave behind a legacy of compassion, bravery and love for all those in her orbit,” they added.Last month, WCK posted a video on X of Ms Frankcom at their kitchen in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, which was newly opened.Dora Weekley, a friend and former WCK colleague, told ABC News that Ms Frankcom was “dedicated” and someone who made sure people in need had a hot meal to look forward to every day.Ms Weekley met Ms Frankcom in 2019, when they responded to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, and worked with her again during the summer bushfires in Australia.Charity halts work in Gaza after strike kills staffDamian SobolThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Archive video shows Damian Soból describes loading trucks with “pots ready to cook 20,000 meals”Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has confirmed Mr Sobol was killed. “Our brave compatriot, Mr Damian Sobol from Przemysl, helped people in need in Gaza where there is a humanitarian crisis. He was killed during an attack which the Israeli army has accepted responsibility for,” he said in a video message on X. In an earlier post, he said he had personally asked the Israeli ambassador for an “urgent explanation” for the strike.Polish President Andrzej Duda wrote on X that it was “with deep pain” that he learned about the deaths of the WCK volunteers, including a Polish citizen.”These brave people changed the world for the better with their service and dedication to others. This tragedy should never have happened and must be explained,” he said.Mr Sobol, from Przemysl in south-eastern Poland, was originally identified by the city’s mayor in a Facebook post.Wojciech Bakun called Mr Sobol a “fantastic boy” and said words could not describe how those who knew him were feeling.Colleagues of Mr Sobol have posted comments on social media describing how he had taken part in delivering aid to Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Image source, Wafa news agencyImage caption, Hundreds of people gathered to mourn Saif Abu Taha, a driver for World Central KitchenSaif Abu TahaMourners gathered in the Gazan city of Rafah on Tuesday for the funeral of the Palestinian driver who was killed in the strike.Hundreds of people mourned Saif Abu Taha, whose body was transported to Rafah, his hometown, where relatives, colleagues and friends carried him on their shoulders.Image source, Saif Abu TahaImage caption, Saif Abu Taha (L) posted a selfie with Damian Sobol (R) on Instagram nine weeks ago”He was happy to work with an organisation that provides humanitarian aid to the displaced, our hearts are broken by your death, Saif,” his close friend Hassan said amid tears, sadness and anger. “You have hurt us with your passing, and we will not forget you. We pray for your mercy, Saif, and may God give us patience and give patience to your family and loved ones.”British and US-Canadian nationalsThe WCK has confirmed to the BBC that three British nationals were killed in the attack.UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the Foreign Office was working to verify reports of the deaths, adding that full support would be provided to their families. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked and saddened” by the incident and sent his thoughts to the friends and families of the victims. He added that aid charities should be “praised and commended” for their work, which they should be allowed to do “unhindered”.WCK said those killed also included a dual US-Canadian citizen. The US and Canada have not yet commented.Large number of aid workers killed in GazaMore than 196 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since October, according to the US-funded Aid Worker Security Database, which records major incidents of violence against aid personnel.Most of those killed since the war broke out six months ago worked for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which runs the biggest aid operation in Gaza.About 1,200 people were killed and 253 hostages taken when Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October. About 130 hostages remain in captivity, at least 34 of whom are presumed dead.Since then, 32,916 people have been killed in Gaza, including many women and children, the Hamas-run health ministry says.Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warGazaHumanitarian aidPolandAustraliaMore on this storyGaza hospital in ruins after two-week Israeli raidPublished19 hours agoCharity halts Gaza work after strike kills staffPublished1 hour agoAid reaches shore in Gaza after first sea deliveryPublished16 MarchFirst Gaza aid ship sets off from CyprusPublished12 MarchTop StoriesLive. 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[ad_1] “Our brave compatriot, Mr Damian Sobol from Przemysl, helped people in need in Gaza where there is a humanitarian crisis. He was killed during an attack which the Israeli…

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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaHaiti gangs: The spiralling power of criminal groupsPublished12 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Protests against Prime Minister Ariel Henry have been mounting in recent weeksBy Vanessa BuschschlüterBBC News Online Latin America and Caribbean editorThousands of prisoners on the loose after gangs stormed the jails they were in, a government without a single elected official and a gang leader who openly threatens the prime minister. The scenes unfolding in Haiti are shocking even to those who have been following the seemingly unstoppable rise of armed groups in the country in recent years. Here we take a closer look at how gangs have come to dominate huge swathes of the capital and, increasingly, of rural areas of this Caribbean country.Armed groups have long played a bloody role in Haiti’s history. During the 29 years of the dictatorship of François Duvalier, known as Papa Doc, and his son Jean Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, a paramilitary force called the Tonton Macoutes used extreme violence to stamp out any opposition to the Duvalier regime.The younger Duvalier was forced into exile in 1986, but gangs have continued to exert varying degrees of power, sometimes shielded and encouraged by the politicians with whom they forged alliances.The most recent widespread outbreak of gang violence has been fuelled by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on 7 July 2021.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jovenel Moïse was shot dead in July 2021The president was shot dead by a group of Colombian mercenaries at his home outside of Port-au-Prince after he had started denouncing “dark forces” inside Haiti.While the Colombians and a number of other suspects have been arrested, an investigation into his killing has still not determined who ordered the president’s assassination. Gang violence had already been rampant under President Moïse, but the power vacuum created by his murder allowed these gangs to seize more territory and become more influential.And it is not just the position of president which is vacant. Following repeated delays to hold legislative elections, the terms of all elected official have run out, leaving the country’s institutions rudderless. Since Jovenel Moïse’s murder, the country has been governed by Ariel Henry.Mr Henry had been designated by President Moïse as his prime minister shortly before he was killed, but he is unelected and some therefore question his legitimacy. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ariel Henry has been serving as prime minister since 2021 – the post of president has remained vacantOpposition to Ariel Henry’s leadership has been increasing as the elections he promised to hold have failed to materialise.Moreover, insecurity has spiralled, forcing hundreds of thousands of Haitians to flee their homes.One of the most outspoken rivals of Mr Henry is Jimmy Chérizier, a former police officer who became a gang leader after he was fired from the police force. Also known by his nickname of Barbecue, the ex-cop leads G9, an alliance of nine gangs founded in 2020 which reportedly has links to late President Moïse’s Tèt Kale Party.Barbecue has opposed Prime Minister Henry from the start. The gang leader used Moïse’s assassination, which he blamed on the “stinking bourgeoisie”, to encourage his followers to engage in what he called “legitimate violence”. Brutal attacks and looting spread, especially in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where Barbecue has his power base.In October 2021, Ariel Henry was prevented from laying a wreath at a monument, when heavily armed members of Jimmy Chérizier’s gang suddenly showed up and fired shots into the air.Dressed in a pristine white suit and flanked by his men, the gang leader then proceeded to lay a wreath at the monument – an extraordinary show of force.His G9 gang has also been fighting a bloody war with G-Pèp, a rival gang which is reportedly linked to the parties who opposed murdered President Moïse.Shootouts and battles over territory between the two groups are common and have spilled over from the poorer neighbourhoods into the centre of Port-au-Prince. Schools and hospitals have had to close and more than 100,000 people fled their homes in 2023, according to the International Organization for Migration. The International Committee of the Red Cross told the BBC its staff had to talk to hundreds of gangs in order to be able to deliver humanitarian aid.Where aid delivery depends on talking to 300 gangsIn a further flexing of its muscles, the G9 gang also blocked access to the Varreux fuel terminal in 2022, causing fuel shortages and hampering other key deliveries, such as medicines and drinking water. Haiti’s national police force – which according to 2023 figures only has 9,000 active-duty officers in the country of 11 million inhabitants – has struggled to confront the gangs, which are well armed with high powered weapons smuggled in from the US.Eighty percent of the capital is now estimated to be under gang control and the people living in these areas face “inhuman” levels of violence, according to the United Nations’ humanitarian co-ordinator, Ulrika Richardson.Ms Richardson said that there had been a 50% increase in sexual violence between 2022 and 2023 with women and young girls in particular targeted by the gangs. Mr Henry has repeatedly called for international support to combat the violence, but so far only The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados and Chad have formally told the UN that they plan to send security personnel.But none have arrived so far. During this latest spike in violence, Mr Henry went to Kenya to lobby officials there to make good on their promise to deploy 1,000 police officers to Haiti. While Haitian civilians are desperate for more security, the deployment of foreign security personnel is viewed with concern by some.Haiti, which became independent from France after the successful 1791 slave revolt, was occupied by the US from 1915 to 1934. Subsequent US military interventions between 1994 and 2004 have also made many wary of outside “meddling”.Some critics of Mr Henry fear he wants to use the Kenyan police force to prop up his power, just as protests calling for his resignation are mounting.Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier is one of those who has accused Ariel Henry of trying to cement his power by inviting in foreign security personnel.Image source, ReutersImage caption, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier is a gang leader who likes to style himself as a revolutionaryIn 2022, the gang leader put forward his own plan for “peace”, suggesting members of his gang be offered an amnesty and a “council of sages” be created with representatives from Haiti’s 10 regions. At the time he also suggested that his gang be given posts in the cabinet. Since then, he has been ratcheting up the pressure, trying to present himself as a “revolutionary” who aims to overthrow what he says is an “illegitimate” leader. On 1 March, Chérizier said he would “keep fighting Ariel Henry”. “The battle will last as long as it needs to,” he added.It is not currently clear where Mr Henry is, but with thousands of prisoners on the run and the powerful leader of the G9 openly calling for him to step down, the odds of the prime minister quickly re-stablishing order have just become more remote. Related TopicsHaitiGangsMore on this storyGangs threaten Haiti takeover after mass jailbreakPublished3 hours agoHaiti leader urges calm as violent protests mountPublished8 FebruaryTop StoriesSarah Everard detective recalls shock at learning killer was PCPublished5 minutes agoLive. 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[ad_1] Gang leaders have seized control of large swathes of Haiti, a country without any elected officials.

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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaKenyan police to tackle Haiti gang violencePublished21 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPImage caption, In October last year, the UN Security Council backed Kenya’s offer to lead a multinational security force to HaitiBy Barbara Plett Usher & Alex BinleyBBC NewsAround 1,000 Kenyan police officers are set to be deployed to Haiti in a bid to combat raging gang violence.Last year, Kenya volunteered to lead a multinational security force in the troubled Caribbean nation.Yet in January the High Court blocked the plan, ruling the government did not have the authority to deploy police to other countries without an agreement.It also ruled that the National Security Council lacks the legal authority to send police outside Kenya.On Thursday, Haiti’s PM arrived in the East African state to salvage the plan.In January, a UN envoy said that gang violence in Haiti had reached “a critical point”, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported last year, more than double the number seen in 2022. While in that month alone, more than 1,100 people were killed, injured or kidnapped.In a statement on Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto said he and Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry had signed an agreement and discussed the next steps to enable the fast-tracking of the deployment.Along with the Kenyan officers, the Bahamas has committed 150 personnel. Jamaica and the state of Antigua & Barbuda have said they are willing to help, while the US has pledged £158m ($200m) to support the deployment.Earlier this week, Benin offered 2,000 troops.However, many Kenyans are opposed to the deployment, arguing that security challenges need to first be tackled at home.Opposition politician Ekuru Aukot, who filed the initial petition against the deployment, told the AFP news agency on Friday that he would lodge a case “for contempt of court”.”We will question the validity of this secretive agreement,” he said.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Haiti Crisis: Can Kenya Succeed Where Others Failed?Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere and gang violence has increased following the 2021 assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse. No one has replaced Mr Moïse and elections have not been held since 2016.Under a political deal concluded following Mr Moïse’s assassination, Haiti was supposed to hold elections and the unelected Mr Henry cede power by 7 February, but that did not happen.Not only has the country been engulfed by widespread civil and political unrest, but with huge swathes of it under the gangs, Haiti’s economy and public health system are also in tatters.In recent weeks, thousands have taken to the streets to demand Mr Henry step down after he refused to do so as scheduled.Since he left the country for Kenya, violence in Port-au-Prince has escalated even further, with prominent gang leader Jimmy Chérizier (nicknamed ‘Barbecue’) declaring a coordinated attack by armed groups to oust the prime minister.”All of us, the armed groups in the provincial towns and the armed groups in the capital, are united today,” the former police officer, who is thought to be responsible for numerous massacres in Port-au-Prince, said in a video posted on social media before the attacks began.”The country is in a situation it can no longer cope with. The country is not run, there is no leader, the population is in famine, people can’t go out because of the insecurity. “The population is tired, it can’t take it any more.””The first objective of our fight is to ensure that Ariel Henry’s government does not remain in power by any means.”The wave of shootouts and public panic in the capital has left four police officers dead and five injured.Reports say the airport has been attacked, multiple airlines have cancelled flights, and that university students were briefly taken hostage with one shot and wounded.Related TopicsHaitiKenyaMore on this storyHaiti crisis: Can Kenya succeed where others haven’t? Video, 00:02:46Haiti crisis: Can Kenya succeed where others haven’t?Published6 October 20232:46Can Kenya’s police defeat Haiti’s fearsome gangs?Published2 October 2023Inside the capital taken hostage by brutal gangsPublished5 December 2022Haiti leader urges calm as violent protests mountPublished8 FebruaryTop StoriesLive. 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[ad_1] In January, a UN envoy said that gang violence in Haiti had reached “a critical point”, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported last year, more than double the number seen…