Australia’s foreign minister has said she is “outraged” over Israel’s decision not to pursue criminal proceedings against those involved in the 2024 Gaza strike that killed aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six other World Central Kitchen employees. Penny Wong, who met Israel’s ambassador to Australia for talks on Thursday, said: “The Australian government learned of Israel’s decision late last night, moments before it was announced, on World Humanitarian Day – which is especially insulting to Zomi’s loved ones, humanitarians and all Australians. Her courage deserves to be celebrated.
Her family deserves justice.” The Australian foreign minister said the move “falls far short of the accountability we expect”. The other victims included three British nationals, a Palestinian, a Polish national, and a dual US-Canadian citizen. People like Zomi are rare,” Ms Wong said on Wednesday.
The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues.” She also directed Australia’s ambassador to Israel, Neil Hawkins, “to convey our views directly to Israel as the Australian government considers next steps”. The IDF said its investigation found that soldiers had mistakenly identified people in the convoy as Hamas operatives and believed the vehicles had deviated from an agreed route. It acknowledged “serious failures” but said the commanders’ actions “did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct”.
Two commanders were removed from their posts, while three others were reprimanded. World Central Kitchen rejected the findings, saying the decision was “inconsistent with the full truth and deeply offensive”. It had full visual clarity on our clearly marked humanitarian vehicles during the extended, multiple airstrikes.
It knew our team’s movements, identities and activities in advance.” The organisation called for an independent investigation, arguing that “the IDF cannot credibly investigate its own conduct”. Mr Newman said: “There were operational failures, who knows who is guilty of that? That’s not the important issue.
The important issue is that there was no intention to kill innocent people. They deviated from the route. It was nighttime and they also delayed their time in their exit.
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