‘Insulting and hurtful’: Australia blasts Israel after Gaza aid probe dropped on Humanitarian Day

Australia's top diplomat, Penny Wong, expressed deep disappointment with Israel's decision not to launch criminal investigations into the deaths of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues. The foreign minister described the announcement, made on World Humanitarian Day, as "especially insulting and hurtful."

She summoned Israel's ambassador, Hillel Newman, to convey her country's views directly to the Israeli government. Wong stated that Australia did not have confidence in Israel's investigation and would continue to press for justice. In a meeting with Newman, Wong expressed deep sorrow for Frankcom's family, but Newman insisted that Israel had no intention to harm the aid workers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously claimed the military had unintentionally killed the volunteers. The founder of World Central Kitchen, Jose Andres, called the decision "wrong and painful" and demanded an independent commission to investigate.