Australia, Allies Condemn Israel's Decision Not to Prosecute in Aid Worker Deaths
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was "outraged" after Israel's military announced it would not pursue criminal proceedings over the 2024 strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six other humanitarian workers. The decision, which Wong called "especially insulting" because it was announced on World Humanitarian Day, has drawn sharp criticism from multiple countries.
Australia's Diplomatic Response
Wong said in a statement that the decision "falls far short of the accountability we expect" and that she would call in Israel's ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman. She also directed Australia's ambassador to Israel, Neil Hawkins, to convey Australia's views directly to the Israeli government.
"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," Wong said. "Democracies seek and accept higher standards. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed "outrage" and said further investigation was "one of the options" to be considered. He indicated the government would consult with Frankcom's family before making any announcements.
Family's Reaction
Frankcom's family described the decision as "deeply disappointing," saying they had spent two years "hoping and calling for an independent criminal investigation." In a statement issued by her brother Mal on behalf of the family, they said: "Zomi and her colleagues deserve more than an internal, opaque process that ends with a short statement by the Israeli military absolving their soldiers of criminal wrongdoing."
The family also called for the release of evidence, including audio from the drone strike, and described the timing of the announcement on World Humanitarian Day as "an insult to my sister's memory." Frankcom's family had attended an event with Wong hours earlier, where a humanitarian award in Zomi's name was launched.
The Strike and Investigation
Frankcom, 43, was one of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers killed on April 1, 2024, when their convoy was struck by Israeli drones in Gaza. The convoy was traveling in three armored cars branded with the WCK logo, through an area declared a "humanitarian fire control zone," and was coordinating movements with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The IDF said it had concluded there were "serious failures" that led soldiers to mistakenly believe a Hamas fighter was traveling with the convoy. However, it said "the decisions of the commanders did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct." The IDF also said WCK did not flag the presence of armed security traveling with the convoy, and that the convoy deviated from an agreed route.
An Australian investigation led by retired Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin found the deaths resulted from misidentification due to factors including armed security nearby, confirmation bias, and a failure within the IDF to fully disseminate the convoy's movement plan. Binskin's report also confirmed "serious failures to follow IDF procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making."
International Condemnation
Britain, Australia, and Canada issued a joint statement calling the decision "shameful," saying it was "both too little, and too late." The statement noted that 186 humanitarian workers had been killed in Gaza in 2025, adding: "The World Central Kitchen attack is one of countless incidents in Gaza where there has been no accountability."
Poland, whose citizen Damian Sobol was among the victims, said it was "very disappointed" and summoned Israel's ambassador in Warsaw. The Polish foreign ministry said a parallel investigation was being conducted by the District Prosecutor's Office in Przemysl, and it expected Israel to provide all necessary materials.
In London, the Foreign Office said the UK was "appalled and angry" for the families of John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby, the three British citizens killed in the attack.
World Central Kitchen said there was "no excuse or justification" for the strike, and called for an independent review, saying the IDF "cannot credibly investigate its own conduct."
Israel's Defense
Ambassador Newman defended the investigation, saying it found no criminal liability for the soldiers involved. He told Australian media that the convoy deviated from its pre-approved route and may have carried armed personnel. Newman declined to apologize but expressed "sorrow" for the family.
"Israel came out with findings that are professional, and I think attacking the findings because they are not suitable to one's political agenda is not the right way," Newman said.
He also left the door open for reparations, saying: "Reparations is an issue that we can check and will be checked by Israel. It's not my decision here in Australia. We need a specific request and then it's investigated according to the rules of reparations in such cases."
The IDF also announced it would launch a criminal investigation into the January 2024 killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab, whose death sparked worldwide outrage, and recommended a criminal investigation into an attack on a convoy of Palestinian paramedics in Tel al-Sultan, in which 15 people were killed.
The decision not to prosecute in the Frankcom case has left the family and Australian officials demanding further accountability, with the government considering next steps while the family continues to push for an independent investigation.