Air strikes by Israel in April that killed international aid workers in Gaza were due to serious operational failures but were not intentional, according to an Australian government review released on Friday.
The strikes targeted a convoy of aid vehicles on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) staff, including Australian team leader Zomi Frankcom. Other victims included Palestinians and citizens of the United States, Britain, and Poland.
Details of the Incident
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) mistakenly believed the convoy was being hijacked by Hamas fighters, who were actually locally-contracted security guards.
Additionally, information about the WCK convoy’s movements had not reached the IDF team behind the strike. This confusion was compounded by a lack of direct communication between Israeli officials and the aid convoy.
The IDF violated standard procedures by ordering the second and third strikes without conducting another identification process.
Review Conclusions
Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, who investigated the incident, stated that IDF controls failed, leading to errors in decision-making and misidentification.
He concluded that the strike on WCK aid workers was not deliberate. Israel’s investigation into the deaths was deemed “timely, appropriate, and with some exceptions, sufficient.”
Response and Recommendations
The IDF has apologised and dismissed two senior commanders involved in the strikes, with three other commanders formally reprimanded.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strikes unintended and tragic. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasised the need for accountability and greater protection for humanitarian workers.
She highlighted that this incident was not isolated, noting the deaths of 250 aid workers during the conflict and recent attacks on UN vehicles.
Family and Further Actions
The family of Zomi Frankcom viewed the Australian review as an important first step and expressed hope for further investigations and appropriate actions by Israel.
With Inputs from Reuters
