Israel criticises Australian probe into killing of Gaza aid workers

The Israeli Embassy in Canberra on Monday criticized Australia for its report into an airstrike in the Gaza Strip which killed seven aid workers.

Zomi Frankcom, an Australian citizen, was one of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) employees killed in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike on April 1.

Mark Binskin, former chief of the Australian Defence Force, was tasked by the Australian government to monitor an Israeli investigation into the killings.

In a report released on Friday, Australia pressed Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organizations to protect civilians and aid workers.

However, Binskin’s report “regrettably included some misrepresentations and omitted crucial details,” the Israeli embassy said in a statement.

Australia had misrepresented the way the report was conducted, the “degree of cooperation and openness exhibited by the IDF, and even concerning certain aspects of the tragic incident itself,” it added.

The Israeli embassy said while Binskin had no investigative authority or mandate, the IDF had fully engaged with him.

“We use this moment to again extend our deepest condolences to the Frankcom family, as well as to the families of the other six aid workers.

“We hold the critical humanitarian activity undertaken by international aid organizations in the highest regard, and consider this work to be of paramount importance.

“As such we will continue to coordinate and assist in their operations, whilst taking all available measures to allow them to operate safely,” the statement said.