Australian Aid Worker Killed in Israeli Airstrike
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the tragic death of Zomi Frankcom, a 43-year-old aid worker with the World Central Kitchen, in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Frankcom, of Indian descent, was on a mission to provide relief in war-torn northern Gaza when the convoy she was traveling in came under attack.
Demand for Accountability
Albanese demanded full responsibility from the Israeli Government for the incident, emphasizing the need for accountability in such situations. He stated, “This is someone who was volunteering overseas to provide aid through this charity for people who are suffering tremendous deprivation in Gaza. And this is just completely unacceptable. We want full accountability for this because this is a tragedy that should never have occurred.”
Israeli Acknowledgement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Israeli forces were responsible for the strike that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, including Frankcom. He expressed regret, calling it an “unintentional strike” on innocent people in Gaza and promised measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Suspension of Operations
The World Central Kitchen announced the immediate suspension of operations in the region following the tragic incident. Despite coordinating movements with the IDF, the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse after unloading over 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza via the maritime route.
Call for Justice
WCK CEO Erin Gore condemned the attack as not only against the organization but also as an assault on humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. She stated, “This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable.”
Victims of the Incident
The seven aid workers killed in the airstrike hailed from Australia, Poland, United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, and Palestine, highlighting the international nature of the tragedy.
