UK, Canada, Australia slam Israel's closure of probe into aid worker killings

Britain, Canada, and Australia on Friday jointly condemned Israel's decision to close its investigation into the deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza as "shameful." The World Central Kitchen employees, including three Britons, a dual US-Canadian national, a Pole, an Australian, and a Palestinian, died in a drone strike on their vehicle convoy in April 2024.

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In the more than two years since, we have been pressing for Israel to swiftly and thoroughly consider the case and hold those responsible to account.

Israel's military had previously called the incident a "tragic mistake." However, a preliminary investigation concluded on Wednesday that there was no "reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct." The IDF acknowledged a series of errors at various command levels but stated the decision not to pursue criminal probes was based on "strict professional and legal considerations."

The joint statement from the three nations expressed frustration, noting they had "been pressing for Israel to swiftly and thoroughly consider the case and hold those responsible to account." They found the IDF's announcement on August 19, 2026, "without further explanation, is shameful." The timing of the decision on World Humanitarian Day was also called "particularly egregious."

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The announcement by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) on 19 August 2026 that it would not pursue criminal investigations into this strike, without further explanation, is shameful.

Global outrage followed the April 2024 strike, renewing calls for the safety of aid workers in Gaza. World Central Kitchen condemned the closure of the investigation, deeming it "inconsistent with the full truth and deeply offensive." The organization demanded an independent commission to investigate, stating the IDF "cannot credibly investigate its own conduct."

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Announcing this decision on World Humanitarian Day, while the world honoured the courage and sacrifice of humanitarians, was particularly egregious.

Israel's foreign ministry extended condolences to the families, calling the deaths "tragically lost their lives under deeply regrettable circumstances." The ministry reiterated commitment to humanitarian personnel safety and compliance with international humanitarian law.

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Israel extends its condolences to the families of the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers… who tragically lost their lives under deeply regrettable circumstances.