Australia summons Israeli envoy over decision not to prosecute aid worker killings

Australia has summoned Israel's ambassador to express its profound outrage following the Israeli military's decision not to pursue criminal proceedings against soldiers involved in a deadly 2024 airstrike in Gaza. The strike tragically killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen charity, including Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom.

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This decision falls far short of the accountability we expect.

The Israeli military announced Wednesday that a fact-finding assessment found no grounds for investigation into the deaths. While acknowledging operational failures, the military stated there was no criminal liability for the soldiers involved, as there was no intention to target aid workers.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong sharply criticized the decision, stating it "falls far short of the accountability we expect." She emphasized that democracies uphold higher standards and affirmed that the Australian government will persistently advocate for justice for Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues. Wong indicated that Australia's envoy in Israel has been instructed to convey these views directly to the Israeli government as Canberra contemplates its subsequent actions.

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Democracies seek, and accept higher standards. The Australian government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues.

Israel's ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, explained that the military's investigation found no criminal intent, despite the tragic mistake. He noted that the aid workers' convoy had deviated from an approved route and may have been carrying armed personnel, leading the military to mistakenly believe it was commandeered by Hamas. Newman assured that the findings confirm no criminal responsibility for the soldiers.

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It was a mistake, in retrospect, but the findings of the court are that there was no criminal intention, no intention to hit at aid workers, and therefore no criminal responsibility.