Zomi Frankcomb during the Black Summer fires of 2019-20. Photo: Lisa Herbert.
The Australian Government has confirmed that Israel’s response to the IDF strike in Gaza that killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen (WCK) colleagues “should not have occurred” and was a “grave mistake”.
On 1 April, Ms Frankcom and six others were killed by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strike in Gaza while supporting a WCK aid delivery.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong appointed Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin (Rtd) on 8 April to be a Special Adviser on the Israeli Government’s response to the incident.
His report confirmed the IDF’s own assessment that their strikes on the WCK vehicles were the result of serious failures to follow procedure, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making.
Senator Wong said Australia is pressing Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organisations to protect civilians and aid workers as Gaza remains the deadliest place on earth to be one.
“The UN reports that more than 250 aid workers have been killed since the conflict in Gaza began,” Senator Wong said.
“In recent weeks, at least three UN vehicles have come under attack. This is why the Australian Government is implementing all of ACM Binskin’s recommendations, including the recommendation for further calls on Israel to improve coordination and deconfliction with humanitarian organisations working on the ground.
“The Australian Government will persist until proper protections for aid workers are in place. The best protection for aid workers – and civilians – is a ceasefire.”
The Military Advocate General of Israel (MAG) is yet to decide on further action.
However, Senator Penny Wong has written to her foreign counterpart of the Federal Government’s expectation to have complete transparency about the process and any decision that’s made.
“We will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges,” said Senator Wong.
“Ms Frankcom dedicated her life to the service of others. She was an Australian we can all be proud of.
“I again extend my deepest sympathies to her family, loved ones and colleagues, as I do to those of the other victims.”
The accepted report recommendations include:
- The Australian Government is requesting regular updates on the progress of the MAG’s consideration of the investigation into the 1 April incident and any subsequent actions
- The government advocating for public disclosure of the MAG’s decision and reasoning
- Briefing the family of Ms Frankcom and other relevant parties on my assessments at an appropriate level
- The government continuing to advocate for any requests Ms Frankcom’s family has of the Government of Israel
- In conjunction with like-minds and the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator of Gaza, the government maintaining calls on Israel to evolve and improve coordination – both internal within the IDF and external with NGOs – and deconfliction measures in Gaza, particularly in relation to the assurance of delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians
- The government continuing to emphasise to Israel the importance of adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict and transparency when acting on and investigating any incidents or breaches
- An unclassified version of the report being made public.
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