The Foreign Office are ‘urgently investigating’ reports that a British humanitarian with links to Rochdale has reportedly been killed by an Israeli missile strike in Gaza.
Reports are circulating on social media that Khadir Islam, from Rochdale, was killed on Sunday by Israeli forces after his convoy carrying medical supplies was hit by an Israeli missile, just days after arriving in the conflict-stricken city.
The Foreign Office confirmed to MM that they are aware of reports that a British national has died in Gaza, and are ‘urgently investigating’.
They did not confirm the person in question was Kadir Islam, or any other information.
How brother KADIR ISLAM from Rochdale passed away in the Israeli massacre @ Rafah (no more info atm) #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/kU2stnvx4Q
— Majid Freeman (@Majstar7) August 3, 2014
BREAKING!! British-Muslim Aid Worker KADIR ISLAM from Rochdale had been Killed by an Israeli Bombing! #Rafah #Gaza RT pic.twitter.com/3aN1xmHtPv
— Majid Freeman (@Majstar7) August 3, 2014
Wide reports have suggested that Mr Islam was from Rochdale, though Majid Freeman, an aid worker from Leicester, claims this is not the case.
Speaking on Twitter, he said: “Just been told Brother KADIR ISLAM was actually from London.. Then moved to Manchester.. Not from Rochdale. May Allah accept #Gaza #Rafah.”
The source of the story reportedly came from an account on Facebook, though this appears to have now been deleted.
The Facebook account of Kadir Islam aka ‘Kadz Islam’ seems to have been deactivated. Don’t have any more info apart from them screenshots
— Majid Freeman (@Majstar7) August 4, 2014
It has also not yet been confirmed who, if anyone Mr Islam was delivering aid on behalf of.
Muslim Aid, one of the many charities helping Gaza, have confirmed Mr Islam has no affiliation with them.
“Kadir Islam is not a Muslim Aid worker. I think there has been some misinformation on social media,” a spokesman said.
Image courtesy of Orphanschoolmosque, with thanks.
