'Shameful': Australia, UK, Canada slam Israel over probe into aid killings

Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada have jointly condemned Israel's decision to halt a criminal investigation into the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza in 2024. The three nations labeled Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) choice as "shameful," expressing deep disappointment after the IDF announced on August 19, 2026, that it would not pursue any legal proceedings without providing further explanation.

The incident occurred in April 2024 when a drone strike targeting a World Central Kitchen convoy killed Australian Zomi Frankcom, three Britons, a dual US-Canadian national, a Pole, and a Palestinian. The IDF admitted to various command errors but concluded that there was "no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct," attributing the tragedy to a "deeply regrettable circumstance."

Both Israel's foreign ministry and the IDF expressed condolences to the families of the deceased aid workers, acknowledging the incident as a "tragic mistake." However, the three Western nations argue that the closure of the investigation is "inconsistent with the full truth" and deeply offensive, demanding an independent commission to thoroughly examine the events.

The World Central Kitchen, based in the United States, also condemned the decision, stating that the IDF cannot credibly investigate its own actions and advocating for a comprehensive inquiry.