Israel Rejects Criminal Probes Into Aid Worker Deaths

The Israeli Defense Forces announced Wednesday that its military prosecutor will not pursue criminal investigations into the April 2024 airstrikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza. While the military acknowledged that the workers were mistakenly identified as Hamas operatives and that serious failures occurred, it concluded there was no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct. A similar decision was made regarding the deaths of four Doctors Without Borders staffers. In contrast, the military admitted to killing five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and shelling a Red Crescent ambulance in January 2024, opening a criminal probe into that specific incident.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the WCK findings as a "nothing to see here" report and announced plans to seek an independent review. Foreign Minister Penny Wong summoned Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman to Parliament House, describing the lack of accountability as "especially insulting." Ambassador Newman defended the military, stating there was "no criminal intention," though he noted Israel is open to discussing legal aspects and reparations.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand called the decision "unacceptable," arguing that closing the case without accountability leaves families without answers. World Central Kitchen rejected the military's account, claiming the IDF "cannot credibly investigate its own conduct" and calling for an independent investigation into the strike that killed workers including Zomi Frankcom and Jacob Flickinger.