1 week ago
Allies Condemn Israel’s Decision Not to Investigate Gaza Aid Killings
In April 2024, an Israeli airstrike killed seven workers from World Central Kitchen in Gaza.
The workers were delivering help to civilians.
Britain, Australia and Canada said Israel’s decision not to pursue a criminal investigation was shameful.
Poland also said it was very disappointed.
Families of the victims and World Central Kitchen said the military’s explanation did not justify the attack.
The Israeli military said its troops mistakenly thought some people in the vehicles were armed Hamas members.
It also said the convoy had moved away from an agreed route.
The military removed two officers and reprimanded three others, but said the commanders had not committed suspected criminal misconduct.
The controversy comes alongside new Israeli investigations into other deaths in Gaza.
Britain, Australia and Canada condemned Israel’s decision not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 strike.
Seven World Central Kitchen workers, including nationals from Britain, Australia and Poland, were killed in the convoy attack.
The Israeli military said troops mistakenly identified people in the vehicles as armed Hamas operatives and cited a route deviation.
The Israel Defense Forces said commanders’ decisions did not indicate reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct; two officers were removed and three reprimanded.
Poland, relatives of victims and World Central Kitchen demanded greater accountability, while Israel’s ambassador to Australia defended the decision.
- Who
- Seven World Central Kitchen workers were killed, including citizens of Britain, Australia and Poland; the governments of Britain, Australia, Canada and Poland criticized the Israeli military’s decision.
- What
- The Israeli military declined to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 airstrike on the aid convoy.
- Where
- The convoy was attacked in Gaza.
- When
- The airstrike occurred in April 2024; the military’s decision was announced on Wednesday, with reactions reported on Thursday.
- Why
- The Israeli military said troops mistakenly identified people in the vehicles as armed Hamas operatives and that the convoy deviated from a coordinated route; critics said the victims’ families deserved criminal accountability.
Critics, Families and Aid Groups
Israeli Military and Government Defenders
Need for criminal investigation
Critics, Families and Aid Groups
Britain, Australia, Canada, Poland, relatives of victims and World Central Kitchen said the decision failed to provide justice and accountability.
Israeli Military and Government Defenders
The Israeli military concluded that the commanders’ decisions did not create reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct, so it did not open a criminal investigation.
What happened to the convoy
Critics, Families and Aid Groups
World Central Kitchen said it had coordinated the vehicles’ movement with the Israeli military and that the cars were clearly marked with its logo.
Israeli Military and Government Defenders
The Israel Defense Forces said troops mistakenly identified several people as armed Hamas operatives and that the convoy had deviated from a previously coordinated route.
Adequacy of military action
Critics, Families and Aid Groups
World Central Kitchen called the account deeply offensive, while relatives described the process as internal and opaque.
Israeli Military and Government Defenders
The military said two officers were removed and three were reprimanded; Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, defended the decision.
Key facts
- Victims
- Seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers were killed.
- Nationalities mentioned
- The victims included workers from Britain, Australia and Poland.
- Military finding
- The Israel Defense Forces said commanders’ decisions did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct.
- Disciplinary action
- Two officers were removed from their positions and three others were reprimanded.
- International response
- Britain, Australia, Canada and Poland criticized or expressed disappointment over the decision.
- Humanitarian toll
- The joint statement said 186 humanitarian workers were killed in Gaza in 2025.
- Other investigations
- The Israel Defense Forces said it ordered criminal investigations into the deaths of Hind Rajab and six family members, and 15 paramedics.
Quotes
Britain, Australia and Canada
The governments of Britain, Australia and Canada, speaking in a joint statement
“This decision is both too little, and too late. The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf.”
wionews.com
World Central Kitchen
The humanitarian organisation whose workers were killed in the Gaza airstrike
“There has never been any excuse or justification for the attacks, and there is nothing in this account that does so. The decision is inconsistent with the full truth and deeply offensive.”
wionews.com
Sources
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