SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Australia is pressing Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organisations to protect civilians and aid workers, following Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin’s report on the deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues.
ACM Binskin confirmed the Israeli Defence Forces’ strikes on their vehicles were the result of serious failures to follow IDF procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making.
This is consistent with the IDF’s own assessment that this “incident should not have occurred” and was a “grave mistake”.
Gaza remains the deadliest place on earth to be an aid worker.
The UN reports that more than 250 aid workers have been killed since the conflict in Gaza began. 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.
We are working with the UN and the international community to press Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organisations, to ensure the tragic deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues are not in vain and not repeated.
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.
Israel's process to determine accountability for the World Central Kitchen strikes is not over. The Military Advocate General of Israel is still to decide on further action. Our expectation remains that there be transparency about the Military Advocate General’s process and decision. I have written to my Israeli counterpart to this end.
We will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges.
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 Australian Government thanks ACM Binskin for his work. An unclassified edition of his report is available here.
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Authorised by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia.
