Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Australia to summon Israel envoy over Gaza aid worker deaths
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Thursday that Australia would summon Israel's ambassador, Hillel Newman, after Israel's military said it would not launch criminal investigations into the killing of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues in Gaza.
Wong said Australia learned of the decision late Wednesday, shortly before it was announced on World Humanitarian Day. She said the timing was especially insulting to Frankcom's family, humanitarian workers and Australians. Canberra has also asked Australia's ambassador in Israel to convey its position directly to the Israeli government.
Frankcom and the other World Central Kitchen workers were killed in April 2024 when their aid convoy was mistakenly hit by an Israeli air strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said the military had killed the volunteers unintentionally.
Wong said the decision "falls far short of the accountability we expect" and said Frankcom's family deserved justice.
Update
Australia learned of Israel's decision late Wednesday, shortly before it was announced on World Humanitarian Day, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Wong said the timing was especially insulting to Zomi Frankcom's family, humanitarian workers and Australians.
Frankcom was one of seven World Central Kitchen staff killed in April 2024 when their aid convoy was mistakenly hit by an Israeli air strike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously said the military killed the volunteers unintentionally.
Wong said Israel's decision fell far short of the accountability Australia expected.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 August 2026 at 23:25:23 UTC.
Update
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Israel had decided not to pursue a criminal investigation into the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues in Gaza.
Wong said she would call in Israel's ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman.
Wong said she had directed Australia's ambassador to Israel to convey Australia's views as the government considered next steps.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 August 2026 at 23:05:14 UTC.
Update
Australia's foreign minister said Australia was outraged over Israel's decision to close a probe into aid worker killings.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 August 2026 at 22:52:12 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .