Serious failings by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) led to the death of an Australian aid worker in Gaza, a review has found.
Melbourne-born Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom was killed along with six other international aid workers by an Israeli strike in Central Gaza while working with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity on April 1.
The review into Israel’s response released by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs was led by former Australian defence force chief Marshal Binskin.
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It concluded that the incident should not have occurred and was a grave mistake.
It also found there was a “significant break down in situational awareness” within the IDF due to the unexpected presence of armed local security associated with WCK.
However, it did note that the attack was “not knowingly or deliberately directed” at the charity.
Rather, it was the result of “a failure within the IDF to fully disseminate or read the detailed movement plan approved for the convoy that provided all the detail regarding the WCK escort vehicles,” Binskin said.
“This was further compounded by the lack of real-time communications between the IDF and the World Central Kitchen aid workers in those escort vehicles that could have clarified the situation and likely averted the strikes.
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“Ultimately, however, from the information provided it appears that errors in IDF decision-making and misidentification, level of confirmation bias and a failure to comply with the intent of senior command direction led to the death of one worker from the strike on the first vehicle and that a violation of IDF standard operating procedures and rules of engagement led to the deaths of the remaining six World Central Kitchen aid workers.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong today renewed her condemnation of the strike, saying the federal government expects full accountability and practical actions so that the incident is not repeated.
Wong also said that Frankcom’s family are calling for a criminal investigation into the aid workers’ deaths and that they believe the disciplinary action taken so far is “insufficient”.
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“The Australian government will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges, and we will continue to advocate the views of the Frankcom family and the Australian government,” Wong told a media conference today.
“We do believe an apology should be provided. I have also said clear practical action is needed to ensure this tragedy is never repeated.”
The Australian Government will implement all seven of Binskin’s recommendations.
“Israel’s process for determining accountability is not over,” Wong said.
“The military advocate general of Israel is still to decide on further action. That is a decision for her and for the Israeli judicial system.
“However, Australia’s expectation remains that this decision be transparent.”
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