The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have cleared its personnel of any criminal responsibility for a drone strike which killed Australian aid worker, Zomi Frankcom on 1 April 2024.

“This happens in wartime. We are thoroughly looking into it,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the time.

In the investigation’s conclusion, the IDF stated that the officers’ actions did not cross the threshold of criminal liability, despite evident “failures” in the operation.

This “failure” refers to a drone strike which hit three vehicles from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in 2024, killing seven aid workers: Lalzawmi 'Zomi' Frankcom, Jacob Flickinger, Damian Soból, James Kirby, John Chapman, James Henderson and Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha.

Site of drone strike on World Central Kitchen vehicles in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Image source: Abdel Kareem Hana / AP

Despite being given permission from the IDF to proceed on the outskirts of Deir al-Balah, these vans bearing the WCK logo were struck in precision strikes. At the time, Netanyahu confirmed the IDF’s responsibility for the “unintended strike”. 

Two years later, the IDF has confirmed that officers will not face any criminal liability for the strikes. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong voiced concerns about this outcome.

"This decision falls far short of the accountability we expect," she said, "the Australian Government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues."

Senator Wong summoned Hillel Newman, the Ambassador of Israel, to Australia to explain the outcome of the IDF’s investigation. 

While Newman expressed “deep sorrow” and described any loss of innocent life as a “tragedy”, he refused to apologise for Ms Frankcom’s death despite repeated requests.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese disapproved of Israel’s reaction to the killings, stating: “Israel’s decision to close their investigation without criminal proceedings is an outrage and it falls far short of the accountability that we expect and consistently called for on behalf of Australia.”

Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Image source: LinkedIn

The WCK echoed these sentiments, saying in a statement: “We strongly condemn the Israeli military prosecutor’s account of the deaths of our seven colleagues on April 1, 2024 [...] The decision is inconsistent with the full truth and deeply offensive.” 

While Newman said the WCK vehicles deviated from a pre-approved route and may have carried armed personnel, the organisation emphasised in their statement that the IDF had “full visual clarity on our clearly marked humanitarian vehicles” and had a complete understanding of their “movements, identities and activities” before and during the strike.

Frankcom’s family have expressed that they are “deeply disappointed” by the investigation’s outcomes and insulted by the decision to announce it on World Humanitarian Day. 

“For it to be announced on World Humanitarian Day, the day the world pauses to remember those who have lost their lives while helping others […] is an insult to my sister's memory," Ms Frankcom's brother, Mal, said.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the deaths of these aid workers were "not an isolated incident".

Since October 2023, more than 400 United Nations personnel have been killed in Gaza.

With little faith in the IDF’s internal investigations and concern for the safety of other aid workers, Zomi Frankcom's family appealed to the government to "pursue all available legal avenues" for an "independent and credible" investigation.

Image source: Mohammed Saber/EPA